JNU disbands GNCASH, draws ire of students, teachers alike

NEW DELHI: The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration on Monday issued an official circular to replace the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) with an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), eliciting an angry wave of protests from students and teachers.

Monday's decision, taken at the 269th Executive Council meeting, comes six days after the Registrar sent circulars to unions of students and teachers and non-teaching staff about the decision.

The circular readds: "Based on the recommendations of the (SC) Garkoti Committee, the 269th Executive Council meeting adopted the UGC regulations 2015, and approved the formation of ICC with immediate effect. The ICC will henceforth replace GSCASH."

The administration also approved the nomination of six members to the ICC, and appointed JNU chief proctor Vibha Tandon as its chairperson.

Additionally, elections will be conducted to elect three student representatives to the ICC.

The decision has drawn protests as the UGC regulations have no mention of the ICC having elected teacher representatives and other nonteaching staff, but only those nominated by the administration, whereas GSCASH had these members elected.

"The disbanding of GSCASH shows the high handedness of the administration. Not just this, the V-C (Vicechancellor) has sent staff to take away files with sensitive case matters from the GSCASH office," newly-elected JNU Students' Union president Geeta Kumari said in a statement.

JNU Teacher Association (JNUTA) president, Ayesha Kidwai, said her organisation condemns the decision in the "strongest manner".