The Jawaharlal Nehru University is seeking legal advice on how to punish the 21 students involved in an alleged anti-national event that took place on the school grounds last month. The said gathering has had an appraisal of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and was called martyr.
According to New Indian Express, the chief proctor's office at the Jawaharlal Nehru University is believed to be seeking legal counsel on the issue of punishment that will be given to their 21 students. The students are linked to an alleged anti-national event that took place on the campus in February 9, 2016. The students praised convict Afzal Guru, calling him martyr in the event.
The high-level university committee probing the students have found them guilty of 'violating university norms and discipline rules.' Furthermore, they were issued showcause notices on March 14 where there were questions on why disciplinary actions should be imposed to the students.
Hindustan Times wrote that sources familiar with the matter said "It is a sensitive issue and the university doesn't intend to be unfair to anybody. Keeping the discipline norms in mind the quantum of punishment will be decided but it has to be made sure first that the penalty should be legally justified."
The students had earlier refused to take a stand before the probe committee. However, the varsity turned down the demand and maintained it that the students will be given three chances. The three chances are their maximum before the disciplinary committee will move.
According to Manorama Online, there are students who refused to accept the findings of the committee involved. They've sent token responses to the administration saying they cannot respond to undefined charges.
But the university had a response to this no-show by the students, warning "it will be assumed that they did not have anything to say in the matter and the office will proceed further in the matter." The report of the five-member panel has pointed out that the lapses are part of the students as well as the administration of the school.