JNU Issues Notice to Shehla Rashid For Spreading “Misinformation”

Shehla Rashid took to Twitter, alleging that Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar had “censored” the university Wi-Fi.

Shehla Rashid, former JNUSU vice-president.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Shehla Rashid)

Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi issued a show-cause notice to former JNU vice-president and student activist Shehla Rashid, threatening her with disciplinary action for allegedly “spreading misinformation” on Twitter. The notice issued on 18 January demanded that Rashid reply by Tuesday, 23 January.

Rashid had on 11 November taken to Twitter, alleging that Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar had “censored” the university Wi-Fi, and that there was no access to some publications. She also alleged like certain keywords, including her own name, were censored.

This way of defaming the university is an act of indiscipline and misconduct. You are hereby asked to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against you for indulging in the above act.

JNU Notice

If she “fails” to send the response, the notice said, it will be presumed that she has nothing to say in defense and that the university is free to take appropriate action.

This is not the first time that Rashid has been sent a notice. In December 2017, she was sent a notice for similar reasons.

Responding to the notice this time, Rashid told The Indian Express:

This is just routine harassment of activists. They have put a ban on protests in campus and now they’re going after activists in the virtual space where they actually have no jurisdiction. When BJP leaders say that condoms and liquor bottles are found in JNU, then the administration doesn’t go after them for defamation; why do they go after activists?

Rashid is currently pursuing her PhD from the university.

(With inputs from The Indian Express)