JNU ABVP Protest Over Health Centre Demands to Continue Indefinitely
More than 250 JNU students are participating in an indefinite ABVP sit-in seeking improved health facilities, accountability over an alleged scuffle and changes to the university’s Health Centre.
More than 250 students at Jawaharlal Nehru University have joined an indefinite sit-in organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) over demands concerning the university’s Health Centre. The protest began after ABVP activists visited the facility over complaints about medical equipment, specialist doctors and patient treatment.
ABVP has alleged that security personnel manhandled some of its activists during a confrontation at the Health Centre. The organisation has claimed that three activists were injured, but these allegations have not been independently verified.
The protesters are demanding action against personnel they have named, including the resignation of the Chief Medical Officer, along with a medical, administrative and financial audit of the Health Centre. Other demands include CCTV cameras, a transparent grievance-redressal system and a PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra on campus.
ABVP leaders have said the agitation is about broader healthcare concerns and not only the alleged altercation. The organisation has maintained that the sit-in will continue until it receives what it considers concrete action on its demands.
Reports on October 4-5 said the protest had continued for more than 100 hours, with ABVP alleging that the administration had yet to provide a concrete resolution.
