A day after the violence on the campus, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar’s absence from a meeting with the team of the Ministry of Human Resource Department (HRD) raised questions about his whereabouts. Though, a statement was released by the V-C appealing students to maintain peace on the campus.
The JNU officials kept conveying that the V-C was on his way and will reach shortly for the meeting which lasted for almost two hours in the afternoon, sources in the HRD Ministry said. The Ministry met officials from the JNU administration and took stock of the situation on the campus following Sunday’s violence. The meeting was attended by the JNU Registrar, Proctor and other administration officials who briefed the Ministry officials on the sequence of events that took place on the campus and the measures taken to restore normalcy.
The HRD Ministry had called an urgent meeting over the violence that took place at JNU. The Ministry had on Sunday sought an immediate report from JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar.
Alleging that the V-C was unable to cope with the present situation, the JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) demanded his resignation on Monday.
“Where was our supreme authority, the V-C when this attack was happening? Where was he? Why no action was taken?,” asked former JNUTA president Sonajharia Minz.
Former JNU Chancellor and senior Congress leader Karan Singh on Monday slammed the V-C over the violence on campus, alleging that he had been “absent” at this crucial juncture and was completely ineffective.
“As a former Chancellor of the JNU, I have been shocked beyond belief at the violent and condemnable incidents that took place,” said Singh.
“The Vice Chancellor, regretfully, has been absent at this crucial juncture. He seems to be completely ineffective and surely needs to step out and deal with the crisis,” he said.
JNU Student Union president Aishe Ghosh, also accused the VC of incompetency and demanded that he should step down. The CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, a former JNUSU president, said, “the vice chancellor is also complicit in this attack. He must be sacked immediately.”
However, a statement was issued by VC Kumar urging students to maintain peace in the campus. In a statement issued on Monday Kumar stated that “Would like to appeal to all students to maintain peace. The University stands by all students to facilitate their pursuit of academic activities. We will ensure that their winter semester registration will take place without any hindrance. They need not fear about their process.”
