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JNUSU refuses to call off strike

Staff Reporter

Students' Union wants "written assurance'' Demand to increase the amount offered under the merit-cum-means scholarship scheme

NEW DELHI: Despite the Jawaharlal Nehru University administration bowing down to student pressure and agreeing "in principal'' to the JNU Students' Union demand to increase the amount offered under the merit-cum-means scholarship scheme, the JNUSU has refused to call off its hunger strike without a "written assurance''. Intensifying their agitation, JNUSU council members and students held a daylong dharna outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) office on Monday. A delegation of students also met a senior official and submitted a memorandum of demands.

"The official promised us a positive outcome. He told us that there can't be a rule for only JNU; a national-wide rule would need to be formulated. He also assured us that he would look into the matter immediately,'' said JNUSU council member Badre Alam.

Meanwhile, Acting Vice-Chancellor Rajendra Prasad held a meeting with senior staff members on Sunday to discuss the charter of demands and the students' agitation. While the administration has conceded an increase in the amount of the merit-cum-means scholarship, the redress would happen only after additional grants for fellowship or scholarship have been got from funding agencies, a statement issued by JNU stated.

Prof. Prasad also appealed to the faculty members to persuade the students on strike to call it off in view of the "sincere efforts being made by the University administration''.

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