JNU Fee-Hike Protests: MHRD's High Powered Committee meets JNU Students, appeals to restore normalcy on campus

JNU Fee-Hike Protests: The High Powered Committee appointed by MHRD held its first meeting with JNU students today to mark the first step towards restoring normalcy on campus. The development was confirmed by the Human Resource Development Ministry via a formal tweet in which it confirmed that JNU students had met the members of High Powered Committee today at Shastri Bhawan. JNU students have been protesting for over 3-weeks now, demanding a roll-back of the fees-hike and withdrawal of draft hostel rules manual proposed by the University Administration.

Meeting to Take Stock of the Situation

MHRD appointed High Powered Committee invited JNU students for the meeting to take stock of the situation and understand the requirements the views and concerns of the students. At the end of the meeting, no specific solutions were identified or implemented to end the impasse between JNU students and administration on the fee-hike issue. However, the committee has also called a second meeting on Friday at the JNU Campus "to find solutions to the current issues".

Committee Appeals For Restoration of Normalcy

As per media reports, the meeting called by the MHRD’s Committee was attended by JNUSU members along with student councillors from different schools. In the meeting, the committee has appealed students to restore normalcy on JNU campus and ensure that academic activities are not affected by protests.

JNUSU Issues Statement Via Twitter

Following the meeting with the MHRD appointed panel, JNUSU has also issued a statement clarifying their stand through a series of tweets. JNUSU has confirmed that there were no negotiations in the meeting and in fact they merely conveyed their demands to the committee which include:

1. The illegal IHA Meeting 28/11/19 be rolled back and all items passed therein be declared void. A fresh IHA meeting be called according to the procedures outlined in the old hostel manual.
2. Ensuring accountability of the JNU VC and the DoS. Either the committee should recommend their resignation or constitute a vistitorial enquiry for the same.

As per media reports, JNUSU General Secretary Satish Chandra Yadav has also said that MHRD’s high powered committee has assured students of positive steps and but also said that the committee’s observations cannot be enforced on university administration. Furthermore, it has sought three days to discuss their demands with the University and understand their stand. JNUSU further also added that students will continue their protests against the fee-hike until it is completely rolled-back by the university administration.

Also Read: JNU Fee Hike Protests: Super 30 founder Anand Kumar says Fee hike should not affect poor students