Jawaharlal Nehru University Teacher's Association (JNUTA) and JNU administration are at loggerheads once again over the issue of missing MSc (Biotechnology) student Najeeb Ahmad.
While the JNUTA has taken strong exception, stating selective omission in a bulletin, "Summary and update of the Events Mahi-Mandovi Hostel" by the administration on Wednesday, the administration defended itself, saying that the accusations were "baseless".
"It does not even mention the beating up of Najeeb by a group of students, a fact which has not only been in the public domain but is also categorically mentioned in the statement by the warden, who was an eye witness. Such omission appears to be deliberate and could put serious questions on the objectivity of the inquiry process," said JNUTA, in a statement.
According to the 25 point bulletin, the hostel warden had submitted a report of the student brawl stating "Najeeb had slapped Vikrant of ABVP without any provocation and the issue was resolved by the warden with some disciplinary measures as Najeeb had admitted his mistake of initiating the brawl".
JNU Rector Professor Chintamani Mahapatra told The Pioneer that it is wrong to say that administration is silent over it and baseless allegations are being made. He said the Proctorial inquiry set up by the varsity was investigating the "attacks made on Ahmad" and "anyone found guilty would be acted upon".
"Acts of intended commission and omission will not bring any good to the university and slowly every section of the university will lose all faith in this Administration. The JNUTA appeals to the Vice Chancellor and his team to seriously act in an impartial manner upon incidences of violence if they are serious about maintaining normalcy in the campus. JNU cannot in any manner ignore, let alone protect, perpetrators of mob violence in the University Campus," JNUTA said.
The association said, "JNUTA expresses its solidarity with Najeeb's family, and shares their despair over the fact that even after eleven days of Najeeb's disappearance, neither police nor the JNU authorities have been able to provide any credible leads on his whereabouts."
The JNUTA said it has repeatedly requested the university to immediately set up a channel for the dissemination of information related to the progress in this matter. "The very least the JNU administration can do at this juncture is issue a Press release detailing all the steps…this willingness to share information with the JNU community and particularly Najeeb's distraught and anxious mother and family is absolutely imperative," it said.