JNU and Students' Union Reach Consensus on Entrance Exam System

The ongoing deadlock between the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration and its students' union, which has been on a hunger strike for 15 days over unresolved issues, may soon end. Both parties have reached a consensus on several demands. The university has agreed to fulfil at least six of the 12 major demands made by the protesting students.

Key Demands Addressed

According to the JNUSU, the university has verbally agreed to reinstate the old in-house entrance exam system, conduct a caste census, increase scholarship amounts, and reduce the weightage given to viva for admissions. However, the university later clarified that no assurance has been given on implementing the JNUEE from next year.

Despite not having an officially recognised student body, the administration engaged with the protestors as students of the university. "We focused on their welfare," said a university representative. The administration also noted that addressing more demands than initially pushed by students reflects their commitment to democratic values.

Health Concerns Amid Protests

The hunger strike began on August 11 and entered its 16th day on Monday. Dhananjay, the union president, has lost over 5 kg and suffers from severe kidney pressure due to high ketone levels. He also has jaundice and a urinary tract infection. Nitish Kumar, a councillor, has lost around 7 kg and is experiencing severe joint and muscle pain.

The JNUSU has called for a relay hunger strike and night vigil to press their demands further. They demand written confirmation of the agreed-upon demands before ending their protest.

University's Response

In a negotiation meeting held last Friday, Rector-I Brijesh Kumar Pandey assured students that some of their demands would be accepted. "The administration will accept all positive demands in the best interest of students," Pandey said. He added that anything beyond their authority could not be fulfilled due to a funding crunch.

The university plans to write to the UGC to request additional funds to increase scholarship amounts as demanded by students. Data regarding caste categories of admitted students is already available on their website, so conducting a caste census won't be an issue.

Scholarship Increases and Other Agreements

The JNUSU stated that the university has agreed in principle to increase the merit-cum-means scholarship from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 and extend it to students of the School of Engineering and School of Management. Reinstating the JNUEE was a central agenda item in their Charter of Demands.

The Rector-I verbally assured that admissions would be conducted through JNUEE starting from the next academic session. Conducting a caste census was another prominent agenda item in their Charter of Demands. The administration assured that they would publish category-wise data of JNU students, faculty, and staff within 15 days.

Pending Issues

However, consensus could not be reached on reopening Barak Hostel, which has remained shut since January. The demand to include JNUSU in Academic Council meetings will be addressed by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit on August 27. Previously, JNUSU was included in these meetings, but this practice was discontinued during the previous Vice-Chancellor's tenure.

The university also agreed to present the Nafey Committee report at the upcoming Academic Council meeting for approval. This report recommends reducing viva marks' weightage to 10-15 per cent in admissions. Reducing viva weightage has been a longstanding demand of JNUSU.

Furthermore, inquiries initiated against students involved in protests outside the VC's residence and in a sexual harassment case will be dropped. The administration emphasised that these actions were taken solely for student welfare and not for political mileage.

In conclusion, while significant progress has been made in addressing student demands at JNU, some issues remain unresolved. The administration's commitment to dialogue and student welfare continues as they work towards finalising agreements with JNUSU.