The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA) today observed a day-long hunger strike against the university administration's decision making it mandatory for them to mark their attendance every day.
"We would like to reiterate that the decision to go on hunger strike by JNUTA was taken because the administration is hell-bent on destroying the teacher learning process in JNU. ...JNUTA demands that arbitrary circulars regarding the rescheduling of the academic calendar and compliance of faculty attendance be immediately withdrawn," the teachers' union said in a statement.
It also opposed the installing of biometric machines for marking attendance and the administration's recent decision to hold online entrance test for admission of students, emphasising that the tests must be offline in the pen and paper form as earlier.
The authorities decried the hunger strike at the prohibited administrative block at the university as vitiating.
"Despite several requests from the JNU administration to JNUTA office-bearers to maintain peace in the campus and not to hold their 'dharna' (sit-in) near Administration building, which is a prohibited area for such activities not only by JNU Ordinance but also by the direction of the honourable high court, the JNUTA leadership is holding their 'dharna'," the university said in a statement.
"It is evident that JNUTA office-bearers are determined to vitiate the academic environment in JNU," the university statement said.
"The JNUTA call for hunger strike is superficial as the demand for dialogue is for public consumption only. By such unwanted activities, JNUTA is also setting wrong precedents for students by calling for strikes in the prohibited areas.
"JNU Administration appeals to the teaching community not to pay heed to JNUTA's call for a lawless campus," it added.
For more Delhi stories, click here
Protests Not Banned On Campus, But Allowed Only At Designated Areas: JNU JNU Bans Protests On Campus; Attempt To Stamp Out Dissent, Say Students New JNU Rules: Rs 20,000 Fine For Dharna, Admission Cancellation For Violence Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms BJP Subtly Asking Ajit Pawar To Quit "Mahayuti": Sharad Pawar's NCP Biden Tests Positive For Covid As Age Worries Mount Biden Says Could Drop Election Bid If "Medical Condition" Emerged Russia Says It's Ready To Work With Any US Leader Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.