JNUSU panel rusticated, no students' representation on campus till next polls

New Delhi: For the first time in Jawaharlal Nehru University's history, the entire four-member students' union panel has been rusticated, bringing its tenure to an abrupt end within three months of being elected.This means that the university, which ranks second in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), will be without elected student representation for the next eight months. The unprecedented action triggered a university-wide strike on Thursday, with several students boycotting classes in protest.
The rusticated office-bearers have been declared out of bounds for two semesters and have been directed to vacate the campus for the duration of the punishment.A proctorial inquiry was ordered into allegations that the students vandalised university property during a protest at the Central Library in Nov. The inquiry concluded that students were responsible for damaging the facial-recognition-based entry gate system, which the university claimed resulted in a financial loss of nearly ₹20 lakh. The administration also alleged that two female security personnel were injured while attempting to stop the students. The rustication order came on February 2.Students had alleged at the time that the new system restricted movement and access and reflected misplaced priorities at a time when the library was facing an acute space shortage.Apart from the four office-bearers, former JNUSU president Nitish Kumar was also rusticated. The five have also been asked to pay a fine of Rs 20,000. Eight other students have been penalised with a Rs 19,000 fine. The amount must be paid by February 13, failing which further action may be initiated, a university official said.Responding to the protests and questions over the absence of a students' union during this period, the Jawaharlal Nehru University administration said it is seeking legal opinion and that the action has been taken strictly in accordance with the university's disciplinary rules. "No separate or interim elections will be held to appoint another students' union, and the next JNUSU elections will be conducted as per the usual schedule," an official said.As per Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, which govern students' union elections in universities, the elections are required to be held within six to eight weeks after the completion of all admissions. In JNU, the last phase of admissions usually conclude around late Oct.Student representatives have also flagged concerns over the absence of a caretaker union during this period. In JNU, the caretaker union plays a key role in initiating the process to constitute the election committee that oversees the conduct of JNUSU elections. Elections in the university are entirely student-run, with no administrative intervention. Former JNUSU president Nitish Kumar said the absence of a caretaker union raises concerns that the university administration could step in to appoint an election committee, as is the practice in Delhi University. "The election process in JNU has historically been conducted independently by students," he said.During Thursday's strike, students demanded revocation of the rustication orders and withdrawal of the fines imposed on them. Addressing a press conference at the Press Club of India, student groups termed the action "arbitrary" and "deliberate", alleging that it was aimed at suppressing student mobilisation against the UGC equity regulations and the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025.Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, who was also present, said, "The university is a space for dialogue, not a fortress of surveillance. Targeting student leaders for defending social justice is a sign of institutional weakness, not strength."Representatives of teachers' organisations were also present at the press conference, while student groups from other universities and political organisations, including Congress-backed NSUI, expressed solidarity with the rusticated students.