JNU row: Provocative slogans were shouted by outsiders, says university's probe panel

Delhi: A high-level inquiry committee of Jawaharlal Nehru University has said that provocative slogans at the controversial February 9 event inside the campus were raised by a group of outsiders, as per media reports.

The committee has also said that it was "unfortunate" that the students allowed that to happen and called the holding of the event despite cancellation of permission "willful defiance".

Even as the university on Tuesday denied media reports that the high-level inquiry committee had recommended the rustication of five students, the panel pointed out lapses on part of the university's security unit.

It added that security did not make any efforts to stop outsiders from shouting provocative slogans and stop them from leaving the campus.

"The organisers disobeyed the instructions from the administration about not holding the event. This amounts to willful defiance. It is most unfortunate that the organisers allowed the event to be taken over by a group of outsiders who created a charged atmosphere by raising provocative slogans.
 "This act by outsiders has brought disrepute to the entire JNU community," the report of the five-member panel said.

"The committee also notes that none of the JNUSU office-bearers acted with due responsibility. The office-bearers had to behave with even more restraint and caution befitting the position they hold. They need to rise above the politics and other differences as they represent the student community. It is unbecoming of student representatives that they should be found engaging in disorderly conduct or condoning it," it added, as per PTI.

The report has two sections - findings and recommendations.

The section of findings has been shared by the university with 21 students who have been issued a show-cause notice in this connection, the recommendations have been kept out of public domain.

The report also said that the group of outsiders had their heads and faces covered.

A meeting of the university's top brass, chaired by the Vice Chancellor, on Tuesday discussed the report following which the varsity issued show-cause notice to 21 students including JNU Students Union president​ Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid, who were found guilty of having violated university rules and discipline norms.

The committee was formed on February 10 to probe the event organised to protest hanging of Afzal Guru, the Parliament attack convict.

It comprises Professor Rakesh Bhatnagar, Professor Himadri Bohidar, Professor Suman K. Dhar, Professor Ummu Salma Bawa and Professor GJV Prasad. 

Meanwhile, the university has denied media reports that a high-level inquiry committee had recommended the rustication of five students from the university.

"It is not true. Not at all...," Chief Proctor Ashok Dimri told IANS when asked if the media reports were correct.

"What the panel has recommended is a different issue. I've just received the report and will review it when the time comes. The students have been issued show-cause notices in which there are different clauses. But the media reports are not true," Dimri said.

"The quantum of punishment will be decided once I receive the responses to the show cause (notices)," he added.

On Monday, media reports had said the panel had recommended the rustication of Kumar, Umar, Anirban Bhattacharya and two other students for their alleged role in raising anti-national slogans on the campus on February 9.

Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban were arrested on charges of sedition in connection with the programme.

Kanhaiya was released on bail from Tihar on March 3 while Umar and Anirban are still in judicial custody.

The university had on March 11 revoked the academic suspension of eight students including Kanhaiya after completion of the probe by the five-member panel. It was decided to keep them under suspension from academic activities till the inquiry was over.

However, they were allowed to stay in the hostels.

The panel, which was granted three extensions before it finally submitted its report, also faced difficulties in the probe as students refused to depose before it demanding that the inquiry be constituted afresh.

The varsity, however, turned down the demand and maintained that the students will be given three chances to appear before the disciplinary committee and, if they fail to do so, the panel will finalise its recommendations on the basis of evidence available.

The university authorities maintained that a final decision regarding the "quantum of punishment" will be taken on basis of the reply sent by students to show-cause notices.

(With Agency inputs)