The decision of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Administration to rusticate all four elected office-bearers of the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) along with its former President for two semesters, declare the campus ‘out of bounds’ for them, and impose heavy fines, is a direct attack on the democratic fabric of the University. This action is not against a few individual students, but against the democratic rights of the entire student community.

The Left Parties strongly condemn this repressive step. It is part of the JNU Administration’s authoritarian and non-consultative functioning, under which protest and dissent are being criminalised. Decisions such as the imposition of facial recognition technology in the library have also been forced without any democratic discussion.

Today, the imposition of heavy fines and punitive disciplinary actions in the name of “discipline” has become routine in JNU. The Administration has assumed the role of judge and executioner, severely undermining teaching, research, and institutional decision-making processes.

The Left Parties demand the immediate withdrawal of the rustication orders and fines imposed on all JNUSU office-bearers and the former President. We also reiterate our appeal to the Honourable Visitor to remove the present Vice-Chancellor in order to restore a democratic and accountable administration in JNU.

The Left Parties will continue to stand with students and teachers in defending JNU’s democratic traditions and academic freedom.