New Delhi: The HRD Ministry Secretary has summoned JNU Vice-Chancellor Jagadeesh M Kumar for a meeting on Friday, January 10 at 11:30 am. After the meeting, ministry officials are also expected to sit down with students and broker a peace deal with them over the hike in college fees, according to a report by NDTV.

It can be recalled that a senior ministry official told PTI that there was no question of removing the JNU VC from his post amidst growing demands for Kumar’s resignation by the student faction. JNU Students Union and JNU Teachers Association had sent a delegation to meet a Secretary in the HRD Ministry and petitioned the sacking of VC Jagadeesh M Kumar.

Speaking to PTI, HRD Secretary Amit Khare said, “We will talk to the university administration that the fees changes which were decided last month are implemented. We are working on resolving the issues and restoring normalcy. It is a prestigious university and should remain that way.”

“Removing Vice-Chancellor is not the solution. The basic issue on which the whole problem has arisen needs to be addressed first. Changing X, Y or Z is not as important as resolving issues that have come up… basic bone of contention needs to be resolved,” he added.

Earlier, VC Kumar had informed media that there was to be no deviation from the fee hike formula jointly agreed upon by students, JNU administration, and the HRD Ministry.