The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union has been denied permission to hold a protest march on Tuesday to show its solidarity with Najeeb Ahmad, who has been missing for over a month. The University’s administration cited the possibility of unrest and security threats as the reason for its refusal to allow the “Chalo JNU” demonstration at its campus, ANI reported.
A circular issued by the JNU registrar on Monday said the event had been organised “without any prior permission” from the varsity’s administration, The Times of India reported. A large number of “outsiders” were also expected to participate in the protest, the circular said. “The administration has also received complaints that outsiders are coming and staying at [the] Students Activity Centre in the night during these types of events,” it said, adding that violation of rules would invite disciplinary action.
The University also issued a notice to three of its students for violating regulations by holding several protests at its campus, according to dna. The notice issued to Amal Pullarkkat, Shehla Rashid and Akbar Chaudhary said the protests “created hurdles for the smooth functioning of the University”.
Students at JNU have been organising protests since Ahmad disappeared on October 15 after a row with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Ahmad was initially described by university officials as an “accused” in the events of that night, but after he went missing, the police registered a case of abduction and offered a reward for any information on his whereabouts.
The 27-year-old’s family also sought the intervention of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the case. On November 8, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung said the missing student had been spotted in Bihar’s Darbhanga town.
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