NAJAR extends solidarity to protesting students of RGNUL, Patiala- Seeks inquiry and legal action against VC for objectionable actions

26^th September, 2024: National Alliance for Justice, Accountability, and Rights (NAJAR), a pan-indian collective of progressive legal professionals for democratic causes (including many lawyers, law students, law faculty, law researchers) extends our earnest solidarity to the protesting law students at Rajiv Gandhi National Law University (RGNUL), Patiala demanding accountability for the condemnable, shocking and unacceptable behaviour of the Vice-Chancellor. We are of the view that actions of Prof. (Dr.) Jai Shankar Singh, Vice Chancellor of RGNUL are in grave violation of the rights of liberty and privacy of the students and have brought disrepute to the institution and legal education as a whole.

It has been widely reported that the Vice Chancellor entered the girls’ hostel without any prior notice, and commented on the woman student’s clothes. This is despite the fact that even the parents of the students are not mandated to visit the girls’ hostel. He has also been accused of passing several sexist remarks, based on the clothing, extra-curricular participation, personal activities, etc. For instance, he has been criticized for making an extremely patriarchal remark when a female student told him about her research interest: “Ladki ho, domestic violence, marriage waale Acts uthaao aur aram se ghar par course karo. Kyu itna complicated aur naya topic leti ho?” (You are a woman, pick topics related to domestic violence or marriage, stay back home and pursue the course).  It has also been stated by students that the rules related to curfews, co-curricular activities like competitions, research, etc. have become arbitrary and more invasive. From this and various other statements, it stands clear that the Vice Chancellor has been consistently violating the principle of equality through his patriarchal and conservative thoughts and decisions, directed against women students studying law. 

In the light of these patriarchal remarks and gross violations of students’ privacy, the students of RGNUL, Patiala have begun a ‘Not Your Daughter’ movement against the Vice Chancellor, since 5 days and have been demanding an unconditional apology and immediate resignation of the VC. As a result, the administration released an office order dated 23.09.2024, closing down of the University till further orders. While the Vice Chancellor has not interacted with students regarding these demands, the hostile, undemocratic response of the administration is clear through this order. This is an active effort to curb any legitimate, democratic protest by the students for their rights.

Such a response by the administration not only shows that the Vice Chancellor is inefficient and harmful for an educational institution, but also points out a troubling pattern of curbing dissent in University spaces. Law schools are increasingly showing conservative and paternalistic trends by surveilling the movement of women students, the kind of educational choices made by students, and by suppressing dissent of students. Statements of the Vice Chancellor on the matter have again demonstrated his sexist attitude, belittling the legitimate complaints of the students. An interview of him has surfaced where he asserts his ‘lack of guilt’ by saying, “Agar koi mahila professor yeh complaint karti toh hum sun bhi lete, inn bacchon ke saath hum kya kar sakte hai?” (I would have listened if some woman professor made such a complaint, what can I do with these kids!) This is evidence enough that the Vice Chancellor does not see his students as adults and humans with dignity, right to liberty, and autonomy, but instead as someone with frivolous and false complaints. 

The University administration has further demonstrated a blatant disregard for the well-being of its students, denying access to washrooms and closing off roof areas. Demands for accountability have been met with punitive actions, such as contacting the parents of protesting students and threatening expulsion. This reflects a troubling lack of functional internal mechanisms, such as Grievance Redressal Systems, which exacerbates the dangers faced by students, particularly those from marginalized gender, caste, social backgrounds within the University environment.

Notably, there have been similar protests previously as well and demands by students at least since 2019, raising issues of gendered discrimination, sexual harassment, misogyny, restrictions on mobility and moral policing on campus. It is deeply worrying that there has been no institutional redress over the years. NAJAR emphasizes the importance of upholding the democratic rights of students in University spaces, stands unequivocally with the protesting students of RGNUL, and calls for the immediate resignation of the Vice Chancellor of RGNUL. Patriarchy and Misogyny can have no place in an institution that boasts of teaching law and the Constitution.

As the protest by hundreds of students of RGNUL, Patiala completes 5 days, NAJAR demands:

1. Immediate Resignation of the Vice Chancellor of RGNUL, Prof. (Dr.) Jai Shankar Singh. 

2. An independent time-bound inquiry into the entire episode, based on which legal action against the Vice-Chancellor be taken.

3. The University to uphold the democratic rights of the students and ensure no punitive action is taken against them.

4. Strengthening of internal mechanisms of accountability like the Anti-Sexual Harassment and Grievance Redressal Committees, to uphold the rights and safety of students within University spaces. 

5. A transparent scrutiny of all Vice-Chancellors prior to appointment, to ensure their commitment to the social and academic well-being of all students without discrimination. 

Issued by NAJAR: National Alliance for Justice, Accountability & Rights

Write to [email protected] for details