JNU Student Organizations Threaten University Strike Over Delayed Authorization for School GBMs

Left backed students organizations have announced a complete university strike scheduled for February 19th, 2024 (Monday)

In a unified stand against alleged administrative delays, several student organizations at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have issued a stern ultimatum to the Dean of Students (DoS), demanding the immediate issuance of authorization letters for the conduct of School General Body Meetings (GBMs). These GBMs play a pivotal role in shaping the academic and administrative decisions within the university's various schools and departments.

The students have alleged that despite the resolutions passed unanimously during the University General Body Meeting (UGBM) held on February 12th and subsequently submitted to the DoS on February 13th, the authorization letters have not been forthcoming, sparking frustration among the student body.

The UGBM serves as the paramount decision-making body for JNU students, and the failure to dispatch the authorization letters by the administration is perceived as an affront to the democratic mandate of thousands of students. In a proactive measure to assert their rights and hold the administration accountable, the quorum sheets, meticulously collected by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), have been prominently displayed outside the DoS office, symbolizing the collective will and determination of the student community.

In response to the administrative inaction, a coalition of student organizations, including AIDSO, AISA, AISF, BAPSA, BASO, COLLECTIVE, CRJD, CRLD, Disha, DSF, Fraternity, JNUTSA, NSUI, PSA, Reservation Club, SCS, and SFI, have issued a decisive ultimatum. The organizations have granted the DoS a 24-hour deadline to dispatch the long-awaited authorization letters. Should the administration fail to comply with this deadline, the student coalition has announced a complete university strike scheduled for February 19th, 2024 (Monday).

The ultimatum underscores the unwavering commitment of JNU students to safeguard their democratic rights and ensure the smooth functioning of their representative bodies. It also serves as a potent reminder to university authorities of the imperative to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and student participation in decision-making processes.

As the deadline approaches, tensions escalate on campus, with students bracing for potential disruptions in the event of administrative non-compliance. Students association has stated that the impending strike stands as a testament to the resilience and solidarity of the JNU student community in the face of administrative inertia, as they collectively assert their right to union and demand justice and accountability from university authorities.