JNU professors back students, says Feb 9 events not a major act of indiscipline

Vouching for academic credentials of the students named in the probe report of the controversial Afzal Guru event on February 9, a group of Jawaharlal Nehru University faculty members has noted that the sequence of events "does not constitute a major act of indiscipline".

In a meeting of Chairpersons of all Centres of School of Social Sciences, attended by 17 faculty members on Thursday to discuss the findings of the report, it was noted that several students who have been named in the probe report were from the same centre.

"Despite the procedural lapses in inquiry process, it appears from available sections of the inquiry report whatever transpired does not constitute a major act of indiscipline," the minutes of the meeting said.

"It was also reported that the teachers who have known these students for long and have interacted with them in classrooms and supervisors were of the view that their conduct and performance hitherto have been exemplary," it added.

It was also decided during the meeting that the professors will bring this to the notice of the vice chancellor with a request to restore normalcy on campus and ensure that the named students can return to normal academic activity.

After a high-level committee of the university found them "guilty" of "violating university norms and discipline rules", show-cause notices were issued to 21 students on March 14 asking them to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them.

They have been given time till Friday evening to reply to the notices following which a final decision regarding the "quantum of punishment" will be taken by the administration.

The students have called for a protest demo at the administration block against the findings of the report and the functioning of the committee.