The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) on Monday accused Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit of attempting to malign protesting students and making misleading claims about the ongoing hunger strike, alleging that rusticated student leaders were denied medical check-ups during its initial days.
The response came after Pandit issued a statement defending the university administration's handling of the protest and saying medical care was being provided to rusticated students on humanitarian grounds.
The V-C said the competent authority, representing the administration, visited the hunger strike site at 8.50 am on October 16 but found no students present.
"Medical care is even being given to the rusticated students on humanitarian grounds... twice-a-day check-up from Day 1 as per medical protocol," her statement said.
She added that two rounds of discussions had taken place on the students' demands and further meetings would be held.
Pandit said a committee representing the administration had also met the protesters at her office on October 9 and held discussions for more than four hours. According to her, the two groups on hunger strike subsequently ended their protests after receiving assurances from the committee, but refused to meet together and held separate discussions.
Describing the administration as "most democratic and humanitarian", the V-C said no action had been taken against the rusticated students despite alleged destruction of public property worth Rs 20 lakh.
"This was bought with money given by Government of India, Indian taxpayers' money," her statement said.
Rejecting the administration's account, JNUSU alleged that its rusticated office-bearers were denied medical check-ups during the first six days of the hunger strike. Their vital signs were monitored through a private laboratory during that period, the union claimed.
The students' body also questioned Pandit's visit to the protest site at around 9 am, alleging that it was intended to create a narrative that only a few students were participating in the agitation.
JNUSU said hundreds of student volunteers and hunger strike participants had been staying at the site round-the-clock. It questioned why the vice-chancellor had not informed them before visiting or chosen to come in the evening.
Defending its status, the union said it was an elected representative body with a mandate from around 9,000 students, rather than merely a student group. Its representatives had been elected through independent election committees and notified by the office of the dean of students, it said.
JNUSU also alleged corruption in university recruitment and questioned the administration's commitment to safeguarding taxpayers' money.