JNU students claim Wi-Fi restricted on campus, call it 'political motivation'

Pic Courtesy: PTI

NEW DELHI: The students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Saturday claimed that the university has restricted the use of Wi-Fi on campus.

The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) called it a "politically motivated move" and alleged, "that all website and video links which have anti-government content have been restricted." DNA tried to reach the JNU registrar Pramod Kumar and the Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar for a response but failed to get a reply until the time of press.

Many students took to social media and wrote Facebook posts condemning the move by the administration. Students stated that with the Wi-Fi restriction, the only thing that they can be allowed to watch online are cartoons.

How do you ban selective keyword search on YouTube ? What kind of crazy conspiracy theories are churning out of #JNU. Smacks of ignorant and uneducated minds.

— shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) November 12, 2017

In a statement issued by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) the students said, "This latest scheme of the JNU V-C is tampering with free academic thought and the environment of JNU, by placing curbs on the internet access of JNU students, through the campus Wi-Fi. Students have been facing problems in accessing web pages and channels on YouTube through the JNU Wi-Fi. JNU presidential debates, speeches of prominent student leaders have also been restricted."

Clashes between the JNUSU and the authorities over a number of issues have been taking place in recent times. The move by the JNU V-C, earlier this year, to ensure seat cuts in MPhil/PhD courses has angered students, the announcement by the administration that an army tank should be placed on campus to instil patriotism, also led to clashes with students who denounced the move.

In the statement, the students also accused the administration of "corruption in teachers' appointment in JNU... open harassment of students through notices and fines... destroying students freedom of expression and academic freedom through restrictions imposed on the JNU Wi-Fi.

(With DNA inputs)