JNU partially rolls back hiked-fee; students refuse to end protests
What's the story
After widespread protests over a proposed hiked fee at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, the varsity's administration on Wednesday announced that it will partially roll back the proposed hiked fee, considering students from economically weaker sections. Earlier on Monday, protesting JNU students clashed with police personnel near campus while opposing a new draft hostel manual. Here are more details.
Details
Scheme for economic assistance to the EWS students also proposed
Education Secretary S Subrahmanyam tweeted, "JNU Executive Committee announces major roll-back in the hostel fee and other stipulations." He added, "[Committee] also proposes a scheme for economic assistance to the EWS students. Time to get back to classes." The JNU students' union has been protesting against the draft hostel manual, which allegedly has provisions for hostel fee hike, dress code and curfew timings.
Twitter Post
You can check the Education Secretary's tweet here
#JNU Executive Committee announces major roll-back in the hostel fee and other stipulations. Also proposes a scheme for economic assistance to the EWS students. Time to get back to classes. @HRDMinistry
— R. Subrahmanyam (@subrahyd) November 13, 2019
Fee structure
What are the proposed changes in the fee structure?
According to News18, the new proposal of the JNU's executive committee reduces the rent of a double-seater room to Rs. 100/month from the proposed Rs. 200/month in the draft manual. Earlier, students had been paying Rs. 10/month. Similarly, the rent for a single-seater room has been reduced to Rs. 200/month from the previously proposed Rs. 600/month. Students were paying Rs. 20/month earlier.
Information
Rs. 1,700 utility charges not been reduced or removed
However, the newly-introduced utility charges of Rs. 1,700 have not been reduced or removed, according to News18. Further, the one-time refundable mess security fee has been hiked from Rs. 5,500 to Rs. 12,000. Reportedly, students aren't too happy about these new changes.
Students' response
JNU students describe move as 'lollipop'; say will continue protests
Meanwhile, student activist and former JNU Students' Union president N Sai Balaji called the new move as a "lie" and a "trap". JNU students also described the executive committee's roll-back proposal as a "lollipop," claiming that their main demands are yet to be addressed. The JNUSU reportedly said that it will continue protesting the draft manual.
JNU protest
On Monday, JNU students clashed with police personnel amid protests
On Monday, JNU students marched towards the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) auditorium, where Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was addressing the university's convocation. As police personnel tried to stop the protest, hundreds of students pushed past barricades, leading to a violent clash. Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' was also present at the convocation and was stuck for six hours.
Information
What are the students protesting about?
JNU students have raised several issues including a dress code, curfew timings, listed in the JNU's draft manual, restrictions by the administration on entry to the Parthasarathy Rocks, attempts to lock students' union office. They have also expressed demands to speak to the university's Vice-Chancellor.
Other developments
Students enter JNU administrative building; demand meeting with V-C
Reiterating their demands to speak to JNU Vice-Chancellor, M Jagadesh Kumar, students entered the JNU administrative building on Wednesday, refusing to leave until the V-C meets them. The students say they want to discuss the fee hike with the V-C in detail. Incidentally, after Monday's protest, orders have been passed barring any protest within 100 meters of the administrative building.