More than 250 students on the JNU campus have joined an indefinite sit-in organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), demanding improvements in the university’s health facilities and action over an alleged altercation at the JNU Health Centre. The protest, according to ABVP, began after its activists visited the Health Centre to enquire into complaints raised by students concerning medical equipment, specialist doctors and the manner in which patients were treated.
DISPUTE AT THE HEALTH CENTRE
ABVP has alleged that security personnel manhandled its activists when they questioned the arrangements at the Health Centre. According to the organisation, the exchange became confrontational, with security personnel asking the students, “Who are you to ask?” before a physical scuffle followed.
ABVP has further alleged that activists Vikas Patel, Abhay and Animesh sustained injuries during the incident. These allegations have been made by the protesting students and have not, in the material available for this report, been independently verified.
The organisation has also referred to earlier incidents in which, it claims, students were chased or beaten by doctors. No independent account of those earlier incidents has been provided.
Following the Health Centre incident, ABVP announced an indefinite sit-in.
The demands are as follows:
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Action against the CMO and erring staff, including the CMO’s resignation.
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A comprehensive medical, administrative and financial audit of the Health Centre, with an impartial inquiry.
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Installation of CCTV cameras and stronger accountability at the Health Centre.
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A transparent, time-bound and secure grievance redressal system for students.
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A PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra at JNU for affordable medicines.
It has also sought action against the security personnel allegedly involved in the scuffle.
PROTEST ENTERS SECOND DAY
On the second day of the agitation, the protesters maintained that their demands went beyond the incident involving the activists. They called for wider changes in the functioning of the Health Centre and said students should receive proper medical care without inconvenience.
ABVP JNU president Mayank Panchal said the Health Centre was established for the convenience of students and questioned the alleged treatment of activists who had gone there to enquire about its facilities.
ABVP JNU secretary Praveen Kumar Piyush said healthcare was a basic requirement for students and demanded improvements in equipment, the availability of specialist doctors and the treatment of patients.
According to ABVP, more than 80 hours after the commencement of the sit-in, the university administration had not offered a concrete resolution to its demands.
The organisation has also called for the resignation of Chief Medical Officer Dr Fauzia and staff member Ashish, whom it has named in connection with its grievances.
The protest, ABVP has said, shall continue indefinitely until it receives what it considers concrete action on the demands.
– Ends
