JNU VC urges new beginning, rector terms violence ‘surgical strike’

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar on Tuesday (January 7) appealed to the students to make a new beginning and put the past behind, referring to the brutal violence that engulfed the campus on January 5 evening.

Stating violence is not a solution, Kumar said, “Our campus is known for debates and discussions to resolve to any issues. We will find every opportunity to make sure that normalcy returns to the university.”

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The vice-chancellor said the incident that occurred on Sunday was “unfortunate” and that he has urged the students to come back to campus. “I would like to tell students that JNU campus is secure place; have urged all students to come back to campus,” he said.

“Our campus is known for debates and discussions to resolve to any issues. Violence is not a solution,” he added. Kumar further said the registration process for the winter semester has been restarted and that students can register now. “Let us make a new beginning and put the past behind,” he said.

He also alleged some students, who opposed registration process, had attacked him on December 14. “Some of the students who opposed registration process damaged registration room and attacked me on December 14,” he said.

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The JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) and Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) had demanded Kumar’s resignation over Sunday’s violence.

Meanwhile, an India Today report on Tuesday quoted JNU rector (pro-VC) Chintamani Mahapatra as calling Sunday’s violence a “surgical strike”, referring to India’s 2016 cross-border operation against terrorists in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

(With inputs from agencies)