The JNU issue is becoming more intense day by day. Today most of the media covered this issue by victimizing the students of JNU. I have worked in academic segment for 2 decades and I am familiar with fee structure and general regulations. There are some basic facts which I would like to share.
- The first question is “Why is JNU protesting? Exactly what are they protesting?” The simple answer is “They want rollback of the hostel fees hike”. But it’s not that simple.
- The actual monetary hike in fees is nominal (Rs.580 for single occupancy and Rs.290 for double occupancy) and even that was to an extent reduced after the students began dissenting. Even after this reduction, the students did not stop and instead demanded total rollback. Is it because JNU students are being targeted? Is JNU the most expensive and uneconomical university?
- The answer is a straight NO. According to the HINDUSTAN TIMES (Nov.16) “Despite this hike in fees, the university continues to be the cheapest one when compared with other universities. Hostel fees in Jamia Millia is 30,000 per annum (2500 per month), Banaras Hindu University has a hostel fee of 27,000 per annum, Aligarh Muslim University charges 14,400 per annum.” And in JNU its Rs. 7200 maximum and 1800 minimum per year.
- Now is it believable that JNU students are fighting for Rs.290 per month? Its price of 1 pizza or some spray cans which they are using to paint abusive words on wall. There is one more IMPORTANT FACT that “it is not compulsory to stay in the hostel for students of JNU”. If they feel that the accommodation is expensive, they can find a hostel or room out of the campus. (In Delhi Rs.290 a month…. They can try. )
- According to the Economic Times (Nov.15) “even the revised hostel fees of JNU are between 1/5th or 1/20th compared to Delhi and Mumbai IITs, Chennai’s Loyola College, and many other higher education institutions. JNU students will pay 3,600 per annum for double occupancy and below poverty line students will pay 1,800 per annum. Most of the higher education institutes are charging far more than this.”
- Now coming to the ACTUAL PROBLEM- protests, strikes, parades, and demonstrations are almost a habit of the JNU campus. The reason could be anything, but the protests will happen. You can describe this behaviour as romanticised vandalism or an illusion of a revolution. Students opposing curfew timings, fees, rules and regulations, appointment of the Vice Chancellor, the hanging of Afzal Guru…it is almost a regular scenario that for one or the other issue, demonstrations are happening. Not just that…most of the time it gets converted into anarchy and chaos. Destruction of the property, disrespect and derogatory slogans, constant cry of injustice. But the truth is that their problem cannot be solved. If 1 problem is solved…they will create another. They are a misguided intelligent lot (students) who are searching for a batter world and avoiding their daily, ordinary life. Even if total rollback of fees will be implemented, after some days they will find another cause.
- They call each other comrade and after each post and statement write #Laal salam. They make videos and posters which are provocative. And why? Because they want regulation free, control free JNU and of Corse ‘INKLAAB’. ( Political vendetta and agenda I am not even discussing )
- Is there any regulation free hostel in India? Is there any university which has no attendance rules? The answer is NO. But not just students, even professors are against the rule of attendance and check-in time of professors. In 2018 the UGC ( ‘University grant commission’ which is statutory body set up by Indian government for maintenance of higher education) regulations specifically mentioned that “The faculty members in higher education should remain present in the institute for at least five hours on working days.” This is implemented in universities of Gujarat too. JNUTA (teachers association of JNU) opposed the rule of UGC and sought the opinion of foreign universities just to contradict the rule. (The information was taken from 75 universities. 32 in Europe, 27 in USA and 16 in other parts of the world). They were claiming that this rule was not right for professors because they need time for their research. (That is a different matter that they wasted so much time in taking the opinion of almost 75 universities of the world.) This is not just opposing rules, but giving wrong impression of a system in international academic circle.
- Each country and each academic body has its own system. Is it right to get support from other global organisations to protest UGC and JNU administration? If an employee of ‘Mumbai Samachar’ will not follow policy of his own paper/ media regulations and present data of the ‘New York Times’ and ‘Washington Post’…is it an acceptable practice?
- The basic aim of an academic institute is to provide education. If a teacher is not ready to give five hours for a lucrative job…I don’t think this excuse of research is justified. And 5 hours means what? Morning 7 to 12 OR afternoon 12 to 5. Any idea what the government is paying these teachers? Let’s not even discuss it.
- Many students who are staying in hostels are staying from last 7, or 8 years. Many students are far elder to professors of other colleges in the country. Kanhaiya kumar who is still referred as student by some media segments is 32. At his age many of us must have completed 10 years of service.
- The left wing is silently supporting this anarchy. But these children who are protesting are losing out on their studies. They are getting injured and creating a ruckus on the roads. They are writing abusive words on walls of the college and destroying property. If they would have been your children, would you approve of this hooliganism? Would you allow them to live in the delusion of ‘INKLAAB’? Few of them like ‘Aishe Ghosh’ will have a political career but what about the others? They are simply fighting a system which is giving them maximum privileges.
- Whenever there is an issue between India and other country, liberals argue that “people who are supporting war, are not going to fight on border.” Today its same scenario. The people who wish to oppose and people who are actually shouting on streets are different lots.
- All middle class citizens of India are struggling on a daily basis to keep themselves afloat and to give education to their children. Actual injustice is happening with these lakhs of tax payers who are paying for politically motivated vandalism.
- This is not about political differences or ideology of a wing. This behaviour pattern is dangerous for youth. With courage there should be wisdom, with utopian delusion there should be a reality check. There should be appreciation of the privileges given. ( education is basic right, comparative concession is not)
- Before opposing privatisation it’s necessary to know.. what is population of this country and possibility of resources. And by the way LPG (liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation) policy was introduced by finance minister Manmohan singh during Narsimha rao government in 1991. If it is a bad policy … we are too late in realizing it.
- I am sharing some photos and videos which are shared by JNU students on social media. It says a lot. Just 1 request… please comment rationally and not in an abusive way. They are students. (I repeat the photos and video link which I am sharing, are shared by them on social media.)
- If I will see any abusive word, I will delete that comment.
Devangi Bhatt-