The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration has announced that the students’ union elections for the 2024-25 term will be held in the next two months subject to the outcome of an ongoing case in the Delhi High Court.

In a circular issued by Dean of Students Manuradha Chaudhary, the university stated that the elections must be conducted in accordance with applicable laws and guidelines.

“Detailed guidelines from the Office of Dean of Students will be shared in due course,” it read. The circular also clarified that the process is contingent on the verdict in a case in which the university has sought necessary clarifications from the Delhi High Court on some provisions of the Lyngdoh Committee Report, which governs student body elections.

The circular comes amid growing student protests, demanding an immediate election notification. Around 80 students led by the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) have been staging a sit-in at the Dean of Students’ office For the past six days, alleging the administration was deliberately delaying the elections.

In a separate notice on March 5, the administration cited a report by a court-appointed observer, former Supreme Court judge V Ramasubramanian, who pointed out inconsistencies in the Lyngdoh Committee Report which governs student body elections. 

The university has sought legal clarification, with the next court hearing scheduled for March 27.

The university has sought clarification from the court, with the next hearing scheduled for March 27.

In addition to the election notification, students are also pressing for the opening of Barak Hostel, a facility built for North-East students.

“It is hereby informed that pursuant to proceedings in WP(C) No. 3735 of 2024, the High Court of Delhi, during the last election cycle byorder dated 15.03.2024 appointed  Mr Justice (Retd.)

V Ramasubramanian, Former Judge of Supreme Court of India as an Observer to oversee the election process.

Upon completion of the election process, the  Observer submitted a Report dated 01.04.2024 in a sealed cover to the 

High Court.

The Court took the Report on record, and the University subsequently obtained a certified copy of the same. Upon perusal of the Report, it was noted that the Observer had pointed out inconsistencies within the Lyngdoh Committee Report (LCR), particularly regarding Paragraphs 6.8.4, and 6.8.12 which could hamper the smooth conduct of the student union elections”, reads the notice.