JNU hunger strike day 16: union disputes vice-chancellor medical-care claim
By TUF News Desk · Published 20 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
On Monday, nine students at Jawaharlal Nehru University were on the 16th day of an indefinite hunger strike. The standoff between the elected students union and the university administration has been running since the union was suspended in February, seven months ago.
The strike began on October 3, after a university general body meeting passed a resolution listing the students’ demands. Eighteen students, including office-bearers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union, sat down near Sabarmati T-point on campus. Nine are still on the strike; several others have been hospitalised.
Union president Aditi Mishra has reportedly lost more than 6.4 kg; vice-president Gopika Babau has lost 6.2 kg, according to figures the union shared with reporters.
What the students are demanding
The October 3 resolution asked for the withdrawal of the Chief Proctor’s Office manual, infrastructure repairs, the restoration of the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment, an equal opportunity cell under the proposed Rohith Vemula Act, an inquiry into alleged recruitment irregularities, the reinstatement of the JNU entrance exam, and the revocation of the rustication of elected office-bearers.
The argument over medical care
On Monday the union issued a statement accusing the administration of trying to malign the union and its hunger strike.
The union says its rusticated office-bearers were denied medical check-ups during the first six days of the strike, and that their vital signs were monitored through a private laboratory instead.
Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit says check-ups ran twice a day from the first day, including for rusticated students on humanitarian grounds. An administration representative visited the site at 8:50 am on October 16 and found no students present, she said.
The union questioned the unannounced 9 am visit, saying hundreds of volunteers had stayed at the site round the clock and the timing was meant to suggest few students were taking part.
The administration said a committee met the protesters on October 9 for more than four hours, after which two groups ended their strikes. They had held separate discussions with the committee.
Pandit also said the administration had held back from stronger action against the rusticated students even though, she said, they had damaged public property worth Rs 20 lakh.
The union says its office-bearers hold a mandate from around 9,000 students.
Protests at two more Delhi campuses
The unrest is not limited to JNU. At Jamia Millia Islamia, students have been on hunger strike since October 12 over union elections; we reported last week on the rustication and suspensions that followed. At Dr B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi, a sit-in over campus access entered its third week after 11 students were suspended on October 14. The administration’s notices appear on the JNU official website; our guide on central vs state vs private universities explains the governance setup.
Frequently asked questions
Why are students on hunger strike at JNU?
The strikers want the Chief Proctor’s Office manual withdrawn, campus infrastructure repaired, the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment revived, an equal opportunity cell under the proposed Rohith Vemula Act, an inquiry into alleged recruitment irregularities, the JNU entrance exam reinstated, and the rustication of elected union office-bearers revoked.
How long has the JNU hunger strike been going on?
It began on October 3, 2026, when a university general body meeting passed the resolution. Monday, October 19, was the 16th day. Eighteen students started; nine remain and several have been hospitalised.
What is the dispute between JNUSU and the vice-chancellor about?
The union says rusticated office-bearers got no medical check-ups in the first six days and used a private laboratory instead. The administration says check-ups ran twice a day from the first day. The two sides also disagree over what the vice-chancellor saw during an early-morning visit to the protest site on October 16.
Has the administration talked to the protesters?
Yes, twice, according to the vice-chancellor. A committee met the protesters on October 9 for more than four hours, after which two groups ended their strikes. The remaining strikers continued.
Frequently asked questions
Why are students on hunger strike at JNU?
The strikers want the Chief Proctor's Office manual withdrawn, campus infrastructure repaired, the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment revived, an equal opportunity cell under the proposed Rohith Vemula Act, an inquiry into alleged recruitment irregularities, the JNU entrance exam reinstated, and the rustication of elected union office-bearers revoked.
How long has the JNU hunger strike been going on?
It began on October 3, 2026, when a university general body meeting passed the resolution. Monday, October 19, was the 16th day. Eighteen students started; nine remain and several have been hospitalised.
What is the dispute between JNUSU and the vice-chancellor about?
The union says rusticated office-bearers were denied medical check-ups during the first six days and had to use a private laboratory. The administration says check-ups happened twice a day from the first day. The two sides also disagree about what the vice-chancellor found during an early-morning visit to the protest site on October 16.
Has the administration talked to the protesters?
Yes, twice, according to the vice-chancellor. A committee met the protesters on October 9 for more than four hours, after which two groups ended their strikes. The remaining strikers continued.
Sources: The New Indian Express, The Times of India, Times Now