New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI): Jawaharlal Nehru University’s students went on strike on Monday to demand the release of JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested Friday on sedition charges for hosting an event at which anti-national slogans were raised.
Kanhaiya, who was remanded to police custody for three days, is to be produced in court today.
While the teachers have extended solidarity with the students over the issue, they have not joined the strike yet.
Vice-Chancellor Jadesh Kumar appealed to the students not to resort to strikes and protests so that academic functioning of the university is not hampered.
“We also stand for free expression of ideas but I believe there is no need for strikes as the problem can be solved amicably,” Kumar told reporters.
He said the authoritites are reaching out to the entire JNU community to see how the problem can be addressed.
“…but academic functioning of the university is of prime importance and should not be hampered,” he said.