New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- Entering its sixth day on Friday, an indefinite hunger strike led by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) at the Sabarmati T Point intensified as administrative deadlock deepened. The protest, drawing participation from multiple student organizations including AISA, SFI, DSF, AISF, DISHA, and PSA, centers on systemic campus grievances and punitive administrative measures.

The agitation erupted over stringent provisions in the Chief Proctor Manual imposing heavy penalties on student gatherings, alongside the controversial February rustication of four JNUSU office-bearers for two semesters. Protesters are also demanding the revocation of private third-party video teaching contracts in the School of Languages, the restoration of the independent GSCASH body for sexual harassment complaints, and the replacement of NTA-CUET entrance tests with a decentralised university-led admission system.

Infrastructure decay forms another core pillar of the unrest. Students have flagged deteriorating conditions across aging hostels like Kaveri, Periyar, and Godavari, alongside demands for improved Barak hostel facilities, gender-neutral toilets, wheelchair accessibility, and enhanced library space. Further financial demands include mess bill transparency, increased MCM scholarships for economically weaker students, and decentralised JRF fellowship processing.

Tensions escalated sharply on Friday when striking students, including JNUSU President Aditi, Vice President Gopika, and General Secretary Sunil, were summoned for a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor. Upon arrival at the administration block, students reported that doors were shut on them and they were forced to wait outside, with administration officials allegedly discarding medical checkups for the fasting leaders.

Accusing the administration of authoritarian handling, the union has called for a massive mobilisation. A "Fight Back JNU" march from Sabarmati T Point to the East Gate has been done at 9 PM as the standoff continues without official redressal.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.