The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has filed a petition with the Delhi High Court alleging that its earlier order banning students from holding protests within 100 metres of the university’s administrative block was not being followed.
The plea seeks contempt action against the students who allegedly have violated the court order.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar are hearing the case.
Protest Against University Policy On Attendance
According to the JNU , current protests ongoing at the university campus were flouting the high court order given on August 9, 2017 that asked students to not hold any agitation within 100 metres of the university’s administrative office building.
Students had recently ‘gheraoed’ the administration office block seeking a meeting with the vice-chancellor to discuss the compulsory attendance issue. They had also stopped the rectors from exiting the building, which contains many offices including that of the vice-chancellor.
Use Specified Location
The court’s August order had pointed out the university had earmarked a specific location for holding protests, therefore, the students must keep their ‘dharnas’ limited to Sabarmati hostel lawns.
In its order, the court also asked the city’s police to enter the campus only if
- there were indications of law and order issues or
- the varsity seeks its assistance.
The varsity had sought for JNU staff and Students Union (JNUSU) leaders to be barred from holding protests within 200 metres of the administrative building as well as the various academic complexes as specified in the rules and regulations. The university had filed the plea against its administrative building being blocked by agitating students.
The students had been protesting against the admission policy which had slashed seats for MPhil and PhD courses on the basis of a University Grants Commission notification .
