FEDCUTA: JNU Vice Chancellor suppressing democratic rights

New Delhi, July 11 (UNI) As the indefinite hunger strike by JNU students entered the eleventh day today, the Federation of Central Universities Teachers' Association (FEDCUTA) today came down heavily on the Vice Chancellor, saying the democratic rights of the students are being suppressed in the varsity.

''The JNU students have apologized for their action but Vice Chancellor B B Bhattacharya still punished them. This shows his undemocratic functioning,'' FEDCUTA President Amar Deo Sharma said.

He said the Vice Chancellor was trying to impose an autocratic regime within the university.

Meanwhile, yet another round of talks between the Management and the agitating students have failed.

Rector-II Ramadhikari Kumar met the representatives of the JNU students' union and discussed their demand, including revocation of the punishment awarded to 11 students for illegally confining Registrar Avais Ahmad in his car for over six hours on February 19.

JNU Students' Union general secretary Sandeep Singh said the officials had not given them any assurance on withdrawal of punishment.

''The strike will continue till we are told that the punishments are withdrawn... we need an assurance not just lip service,'' he added.

Six students have been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past week, demanding withdrawal of show-cause notice to 11 students.

The University served show-cause notices on 11 students on June 22 for their alleged involvement in the February 19 incident.

While three students were rusticated for four semesters, the four others were rusticated for a year. Three office-bearers of the JNU Students' Union-- president Dhananjay Tripathi, General Secretary Sandeep Singh and joint secretary Jyotsna Singh --were fined Rs 2,000 each.

UNI