JNU Administration Initiates Disciplinary Action Against 48 Faculty Members For Strike In 2018

48 faculty members of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi are facing disciplinary action by the university administration for carrying out a day-long strike protest in July last year (2018), reports The Indian Express. The strike had been carried out in protest of the administration allegedly breaching reservation policy by getting rid of certain professors as deans and chairpersons.

The university administration, under Vice-Chancellor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, has invoked the Central Civil Services (CCS) Rules to start its proceedings against the professors.

“No government servant shall resort to or in any way abet any form of strike or coercion or physical duress in connection with any matter pertaining to his service or the service of any other Government servant,” is the rule cited by the Executive Council’s memorandum.

Responding to this latest development, the JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) at its general body meeting held on Thursday (25 July) rejected the proceedings, stating that the university faculty did not come under the definition of government servants according to the CCS Rules.