The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) expresses full solidarity with the student satyagraha that has been ongoing for the past 46 days at Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya (MGAHV), Wardha.
We strongly condemn the alleged repressive and authoritarian attitude of the university administration, particularly Vice-Chancellor Kumud Sharma. Instead of establishing meaningful dialogue to resolve students’ genuine academic and basic problems, the administration has resorted to notices, proctorial action, and police-administrative intervention. Since July 8, 2026, students and research scholars have been holding a satyagraha over their pending demands. This movement did not begin suddenly; even after a collective memorandum signed by around 250 students and research scholars was submitted on July 3, the administration took no concrete steps. The students’ demands include completing the PhD admission process pending since 2022, immediately starting a new PhD admission process, re-establishing the Women’s Studies and Film/Cinema Studies departments at the main Wardha campus, and restarting discontinued diploma courses. Students are also demanding clean drinking water, adequate water coolers and their regular maintenance, the latest books and availability of reading rooms in the library, quality and nutritious food in hostels, and sufficient reading rooms for study. These are not demands for special facilities, but the minimum academic and human necessities for students studying at a central university.
JNUSU expresses serious concern that since July 8, the doors of the administrative building have been kept closed and action has been initiated against the protesting students. On August 20, an allegation surfaced that student Rakesh Ahirwar was pushed or an attempt was made to run him over by the Vice-Chancellor’s vehicle. Despite the student’s complaint, there was an alleged delay in registering an FIR, while an FIR was registered the same day against six students and research scholars based on the administration’s complaint. We demand a fair investigation into this incident, appropriate legal action against the Vice-Chancellor, and the immediate withdrawal of the FIR and proctorial action against the students. The struggle at MGAHV is not merely a question concerning one campus. It is a struggle against the growing attacks nationwide on the autonomy of higher education, campus democracy, and the right to research and dissent. JNUSU appeals to all students, teachers, socio-democratic organizations, and civil society to stand with the students of MGAHV Wardha and pressure the administration for transparent and democratic dialogue. The students’ struggle is our struggle.
