JNU VC appeals to students to reconsider march

JNU Vice Chancellor Jagdesh Kumar has appealed to the students to reconsider their march to Jantar Mantar this afternoon in protest against arrest of their president in a sedition case, citing "safety" reasons.

"While we appreciate your right to protest, we are apprehensive of your safety outside the campus. We, therefore, appeal to you to reconsider your decision for undertaking the march outside the campus," the VC said in an advisory issued to students.

The students and teachers of the varsity have decided to march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar at 2:30 PM demanding release of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested Friday last in a sedition case, in connection with an event against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, where anti-national slogans were alleged to have been raised.

JNU Students Union Vice President, Shehla Rashid Shora, who will be leading the march, had yesterday written to the VC informing him of the march and requesting him to ensure security arrangements.

The varsity's Chief Security Officer had also sent a communication to police yesterday requesting the force to make adequate security arrangements for students during the march and till they are back in the campus.