Jawaharlal Nehru University.
| Photo Credit: File photo
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) on Wednesday demanded the reinstatement of the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH), which was disbanded in 2017. This comes after the university decided to change the term for Vice-Chancellor on degree certificates from “kulpati” to “kulguru”. However, JNUSU stated that the “symbolic gesture” cannot ensure “gender justice”.
The decision was taken during an Executive Council meeting on April 16. The Vice-Chancellor earlier said that “kulguru” is a gender-neutral term, while “pati” has other connotations.
The JNUSU said in a statement that while they “understand the urgency to change the designation as a move toward gender neutrality”, the university requires “institutional reforms” for fundamental transformation.
It stated, “First, we demand the immediate reinstatement of GSCASH and the dismantling of the current ICC, which has proven ineffective in addressing sexual harassment. The former system was democratic and survivor-friendly, while the current structure operates as an extension of administrative control, failing to deliver justice.”
It further stated that deprivation points in PhD admissions were removed, disproportionately affecting marginalised students, particularly women. It also pointed to the lack of gender-neutral washrooms and hostels. It also said that JNU has not implemented reservations for transgender students in admissions and employment. This system was scrapped in 2017.
It added, “If JNU truly values inclusivity, such basic infrastructure must be prioritised. How can we claim to be a progressive institution while denying rightful representation to marginalised communities?”
Published – June 05, 2025 01:36 am IST