No goon held, but JNUSU president booked

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 7

The riot-struck JNU resumed academic work on Tuesday with Vice Chancellor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar asking students to return to the campus and the JNU Students Union saying that they won’t “put up with the VC any longer”.

Hours before the VC appealed for calm, informing students that the winter semester registration process had commenced after the three-day disruption, the JNUSU sought Kumar’s instant removal, accusing him of complicity with the ABVP in allegedly framing JNUSU leaders for the January 5 campus violence.

The trigger was the Delhi Police filing FIRs today against 20 students, including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh, vice-president and general secretary, all accused of vandalising the varsity server room and obstructing the winter semester registration process on January 4.

Ghosh and others have been booked under Sections 341, 323 and 506 of the IPC. Of the four FIRs, the first pertains to the destruction of university communication system; second and third to the scuffle between students and obstruction of semester registration process and the final one regarding Sunday rioting and attacks on the campus.

“In their latest act of cowardice, the JNU administration has filed a complaint against 20 students, including the JNUSU president…. This is another attempt to criminalise a democratic protest led by the JNUSU while protecting the ABVP henchmen who work as foot soldiers of the VC…. We have put up with this VC for too long and we cannot do so any longer. Mamidala Hatao, JNU Bachao,” JNUSU leaders said today as Ghosh claimed she had not done anything wrong.

After the JNUSU statement today, the university sent out a message saying that the information and communication system damaged on January 4 by agitating students had been restored.

“Our data servers are now functional from 2.30 pm. The online registration process for the winter semester has begun. Thousands of students are registering,” the VC said this evening.

Cops turn to people for clues

Under fire for being clueless about who attacked the JNU community this Sunday, Delhi Police on Tuesday issued a public appeal asking for pictures, footage and other information on the violence which left 34 students injured.

3,552 pupils registered: VC

LATE Tuesday evening, VC M Jagadesh Kumar said the number of students who have paid the fee for winter semester registration has risen to 3,552. He said the registration date has been extended to Jan 12. “Will help students who want to register,” he said.

Saffron nexus exposed: JNUSU

The JNUSU has rejected all charges against its leaders. “Photos show various ABVP members. But the administration remained silent and has now criminalised peaceful students of JNU exposing the saffron nexus of the ABVP and the administration,” said the union.

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