Afzal Guru row: JNU students decide not to accept university's probe panel report

Delhi: JNU students, at a decision taken at a JNU Students' Council meeting, which went on till late Wednesday night have decided to "not accept" the report of university's probe panel.

They also said that they will send their reply accordingly, as per media reports.

The students have been served show-cause notice to explain their alleged role in the controversial February 9 event.

Show-cause notices were issued to 21 students on March 14 asking them to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them after the high-level committee of the university found them guilty of "violating university norms and discipline rules".

"The inquiry report is based on an unfair probe process and hence, we refused to accept its findings... Our replies to the show-cause notice will be sent accordingly," a member of the council said.

The committee has said that provocative slogans at the controversial February 9 event on JNU campus were raised by a group of outsiders.

It also noted that it was "unfortunate" that the students allowed that to happen.

It said holding of the event despite cancellation of permission was an act which amounts to "willful defiance".

The panel has also pointed out lapses on part of the university's security unit, saying it did not make any efforts to stop outsiders from shouting provocative slogans and stop them from leaving the campus.

"The organisers disobeyed the instructions from the administration about not holding the event. This amounts to willful defiance. It is most unfortunate that the organisers allowed the event to be taken over by a group of outsiders who created a charged atmosphere by raising provocative slogans. This act by outsiders has brought disrepute to the entire JNU community," the report of the five-member panel has said, as per PTI.

"The committee also notes that none of the JNUSU office-bearers acted with due responsibility. The office-bearers had to behave with even more restraint and caution befitting the position they hold. They need to rise above the politics and other differences as they represent the student community. It is unbecoming of student representatives that they should be found engaging in disorderly conduct or condoning it," it added.

The report has two sections - findings and recommendations.

The section of findings has been shared by the university with 21 students who have been issued a show-cause notice in this connection, the recommendations have been kept out of public domain.

The report also said that the group of outsiders had their heads and faces covered.

The report has, according to sources, recommended rustication of five students including JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya who are facing sedition charges, as per PTI.

The committee was formed on February 10 to probe the event organised to protest hanging of Afzal Guru, the Parliament attack convict.

Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban were arrested on charges of sedition in connection with the programme.

Kanhaiya was released on bail from Tihar on March 3 while Umar and Anirban are still in judicial custody.

(With PTI inputs)