The Jawaharlal Nehru University has allowed students who could not go back home to stay on campus and has also arranged mess services for them. There are around 600 students on campus right now and the JNU Students' Union is quite satisfied with the steps the administration has taken, said JNUSU Vice-President Saket Moon.
The varsity has arranged mess services in one hostel of each khand. "The students have also been asked to bring their own plates. We had initially asked for packed lunch boxes to avoid exposure but this too should be fine," said Saket. "We had also wanted proper screening with thermal guns which has not been implemented yet," he added.
Apeksha Priyadarshini, a Councillor of the JNUSU and a member of BASO said that this was a win for the JNUTA and the Students' Union. "This has literally happened because of the consistent pressure from the JNUSU, Hostel Committees and JNUTA so in this moment of acute crisis, Jai Bhim Laal Salaam to SU and TA for this small yet extremely significant victory," said Apeksha. The administration has also notified that all essential services like grocery, sanitation, electrical needs etc will be available. They have also encouraged teachers, staff and students on campus to practice social distancing and not call guests over or even go out unless there is an emergency.
The JNU administration had on March 19 suspended all activities on campus including hostel services and asked the students to leave within 48 hours. The notice, issued on March 19, gave the student's time till March 22 — the Janata Curfew Day — to leave the hostel. The Students' Union and the Teachers' Association had condemned the move calling it "irrational and callous". The teachers had also proposed that if a student faces trouble travelling and needs supplies or a place to stay, the professors would help them out.
