CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has sought the intervention of President Droupadi Murmu and Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi over the indefinite hunger strike by JNU students, which entered its 17th day on Monday (October 19, 2026), citing deteriorating health of the participants.
In a post on X, Mr. “As a former student of JNU, I am deeply concerned by the present situation. A university that nurtured debate and dissent must not punish them. In his letter, Mr. He cautioned that disproportionate disciplinary measures could discourage students from raising legitimate grievances over fear of punitive action. The act designates the President as the Visitor of the university.
Referring to the Jawaharlal Nehru University Act, 1966, Mr. He urged President Murmu to intervene under Section 8 of the Act and take appropriate steps towards revocation of the rustication orders, withdrawal of alleged objectionable provisions of the CPO Manual and urgent resolution of the students’ outstanding grievances.
Brittas said, “The indefinite hunger strike by JNU students (is) now in its 17th day, and the deteriorating health of the participants demand urgent intervention. Its democratic traditions must be preserved, and its students’ voices deserve to be heard, not silenced,” he said. Brittas said the hunger strike, which began on October 3, followed the university administration’s alleged failure to address the student community’s “genuine and longstanding concerns”. He said rustication of elected students’ union representatives, including the former JNUSU president, had raised serious concerns. Recalling his years as a student at JNU, he said the university had long provided a space for debates, discussions and democratic activities. Brittas said the legislation identified social justice, secularism and a democratic way of life among the university’s foundational principles.
