JNUSU ends hunger strike after 15 days, says officials vowed to look into its demands

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) called off its hunger strike on Friday, the 15th day of the protest, following assurance by the administration to look into its demands, including the reinstatement of in-house entrance examination, for all courses.

The breakthrough was achieved after JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit invited the union members earlier in the day for deliberations over the demands that also included revocation of the hostel eviction order for PhD scholars on extension and increasing the amount of merit-cum-means scholarships.

“The administration has assured us that a committee is being formed to look into the reinstatement of JNU Entrance Exam (JNUEE). The administration will also recall the notice regarding the undertaking by PhD students on extensions for availing of the hostel facilities. The Registrar will write to the University Grants Commission to increase merit-cum-means scholarships,” the union said in a statement. “The committee on the JNUEE will also take the suggestions from student faculty committees and councillors,” it added.

There was no official statement from the university on accepting the demands till the time of going to the press. When reached for comment, the V-C office did not respond.

Following the announcement by the union, the campus roared with ‘Laal Salaam’. The union appealed to all the students to gather at the protest site for the celebrations.