Don't malign my identity - JNU student's message to Smriti Irani

In what can be a good news for JNU students, the protests outside the campus at the gate has mellowed down with only a few anti-JNU protesters visible today.

Since Monday, classes in JNU have either remained suspended or have not commenced because most of the students were not available. This was partly because of students' unwillingness and partly because of the ongoing protests against the University right at the gate of the campus.

Slamming the alleged attempt to malign JNU, a student pursuing M Phil at the Centre for Science Policy, on the condition of anonymity, said:

"Being a student here JNU has become a part of my identity. When you malign the university, you malign my identity."

In what is being termed as 'headmistress and school boy treatment', Smriti Irani yesterday 'scolded' 42 Vice-Chancellors from central universities across the country, including VCs of JNU, Jadavpur and Hyderabad University,

"Remember you are at the mercy of tax payers' money. Do not enjoy this as a fully tax-free paid holiday. Search your soul when you go back from here and appraise your own work."

Responding to my question on Smriti Irani's handling of central universities, the Science Policy student said:

"Smriti Irani should be removed as HRD Minister because of her trying to impose her ideology is creating problems. She cannot harm the autonomy of our institutions. Our principles and Constitution are not weak."