JNU VC says students understood that university can't be used for 'anti-national' activities

New Delhi: The message that Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is a platform for a free exchange of ideas but cannot be utilised for actions that are "anti-national" or against the "interest of the nation's sovereignty," according to the university's chancellor V K Saraswat, has been comprehended by the students.

Saraswat, who is also a member of NITI Aayog, added that people at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have enough room to express their ideas and are keenly aware of events both domestically and outside the country. "It is a free-thinking society there. So, you will find a lot of contradictory thought processes, and a lot of contradictory ideologies, which people will nurture. So at times, there was a clash of ideologies, that is why you used to hear that there are problems," he told PTI.

In recent years, the university has witnessed several instances of violence involving Left-affiliated student outfits and the RSS student body Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). In April this year, two groups of students clashed at the varsity's Kaveri Hostel allegedly over the serving of non-vegetarian food on Ram Navami in the mess.

"But we have now given total shape to this that you (students) have the freedom to express yourself, except that any activity which is anti-national, any activity which is against the interest of the nation's sovereignty, such things should be dissuaded."

"And that message has been delivered to all concerned. I think, by and large, people have understood," Saraswat said.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic also helped to a large extent because people started working from home and then they realised that the ecosystem of JNU is required for them to be more creative and productive rather than sitting at home.

"And, hence you see some positive outcomes," Saraswat added.

Several JNU students and alumni, including Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita, were arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their alleged involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita were later released on bail while Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are still in jail. Most of the arrested were involved in protests against the Citizens Amendment Act (CAA), and related police action against protesters.

Kanhaiya Kumar and Khalid, who were then studying at JNU, were arrested by the Delhi Police for their alleged involvement in the sedition case in 2016 over a campus protest. They were later released on bail. Kumar is now in the Congress party.

On January 5, 2020, a group of masked men stormed the campus and went after students in three hostels. They caused havoc by hitting residents, smashing windows, furniture, and personal items, and wreaking havoc with sticks, stones, and iron rods.

Aishe Ghosh, president of the JNU Students' Union, was among the at least 28 individuals hurt during the nearly two hours of utter turmoil on campus.

With PTI inputs