How JNU’s VC Is Restoring Discipline In An Institute That Turned Into A Den Of Anarchy

Ever since he assumed office in early 2016 as the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the unassuming Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar as gone about the task of restoring basic institutional discipline without which the university had degenerated in to a permanent theatre of protest and anarchy.

In the latest step meant to curb the rampant indiscipline afflicting the university, the administration under Kumar went ahead issuing new regulations for student’s attendance. A circular that was issued last month mandated a minimum of 75 per cent attendance for students with a relaxation to 60 per cent for those who had valid medical reasons to be absent. It further added that research students would require their supervisor’s permission to be absent on valid academic grounds.

The mandatory attendance rule, ironically sparked off a series of protests with both students and teachers threatening to ‘boycott’ the rule. Many a student even said that while they were against the rule, protests by activists were hampering academics on campus.

All schools and centres have been asked to take classroom attendance. For students in research courses who have finished coursework, an attendance register will be kept in the school or centre office to be signed daily by the scholar.