Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, long considered a leftist stronghold, has received unprecedented funding under the current government, according to news reports. An RTI request by Pune-based activist Praful Sarda revealed that JNU’s subsidies have increased significantly during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
Between 2015-16 and 2022-23, JNU received Rs 3,030 crore in subsidies, a 1.5-fold increase from the Rs 2,055 crore allocated during the previous decade (2004-05 to 2014-15). This surge in funding contradicts the perception of JNU as an institution at odds with the current administration.
However, the increased financial support comes with a concerning development. Since 2016, the JNU administration has filed 35 FIRs against its students, a stark contrast to the absence of such cases before 2016. This period coincides with high-profile campus protests led by students like Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid, which garnered national attention.
Sarda’s attempts to obtain more information about these FIRs were met with resistance, highlighting the challenges in accessing complete information through RTI requests. He emphasized the need for prompt and transparent responses from authorities.
The activist also advocated for increased investment in national universities, suggesting that institutions like Mumbai and Pune universities should receive similar benefits. Sarda argued that this would greatly benefit students from rural areas who form a significant portion of these universities’ student bodies.
As JNU continues to receive substantial funding, the rise in student FIRs raises questions about the changing dynamics between the administration and its students. This juxtaposition of increased financial support and heightened tensions on campus presents a complex picture of one of India’s most prominent universities under the current political climate.
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