JNU served notice over dog bite incidents; at least a dozen cases reported, including blind students | Delhi News

NEW DELHI: Jawaharlal Nehru University has been served a notice by the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities following a series of dog bite incidents involving students with disabilities, including those with visual impairments. At least 12 such cases have been reported over the past few weeks, prompting the department under the Union social justice and empowerment ministry to seek a formal response from JNU within 30 days.The notice dated May 14 was issued after a formal complaint highlighted persistent threats to the safety and mobility of students with disabilities on the campus, particularly in and around the three hostels designated for them—Periyar, Kaveri and Godavari. Despite multiple complaints made to the administration and other university bodies, PwD students alleged, no meaningful action was taken. Copies of these complaints and medical records of the dog bite injuries were seen by TOI.The complainant, a visually impaired student, told the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities that stray dogs were regularly found near and inside the PwD hostels, significantly restricting their mobility. Many of these students navigate the campus independently and the recurring threat of attacks has left several afraid to move around—even within their own hostel premises.“We live with constant anxiety. A blind student walking alone with a cane becomes an easy target. Even going to class or the mess feels unsafe now,” said a studentresiding in Periyar Hostel.An inmate of Godavari Hostel added, “There have been instances where we have had to cancel plans or academic work simply because it’s difficult to step out due to the presence of dogs inside the hostel premises itself. No one listens until someone is seriously injured.”The issue raises questions about the clash between animal rights and disability rights on the campus. There are 13 designated spots for feeding strays, but students continue to feed dogs and cats in other areas, including near PwD hostels, the scholar alleged.Several faculty members said that despite several notices issued by the administration previously, enforcement remained a challenge as the relocation of strays was not permitted under the animal welfare rules and the university often faced resistance from animal rights groups within and outside the campus.“We have written multiple times to the authorities requesting relocation of aggressive dogs, especially when students and even faculty have reported bite incidents. But Animal Welfare Board has denied permission, citing legal restrictions. This has made it extremely difficult to act even in serious cases,” said a senior faculty member.The university claims, students alleged, that it does not separately maintain records of dog bite incidents on the File photocampus. JNU’s hostel manual includes provisions for managing strays, but students alleged that there was no compliance or follow-through. “No advisory has been issued after the recent incidents. This shows sheer negligence of the PwD students’ rights by the administration,” said another visually impaired student.An official source told TOI that there were currently 528 dogs on record on the campus, though the actual number was believed to be much higher. “As JNU is surrounded by a large forest cover of about 75%, the university is considered a natural habitat for dogs. This makes obtaining permission for their relocation a challenge,” the source pointed out, adding that the university had been in regular correspondence with Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which is responsible for relocating and sterilising the stray dogs.The source further said JNU had an animal birth control committee and follows all government-mandated rules in this regard.The complaint noted that despite repeated requests, no liaison officer had been appointed for students with disabilities—a requirement under Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016. It also claimed the equal opportunity cell, a designated body for addressing the grievances of marginalised sections, including PwD students, had failed to act on their concerns.The complainant has demanded action against the university administration and the elected students’ union, accusing both of gross negligence in safeguarding the rights and well-being of students with disabilities.JNU Student’ Union president Nitish Kumar told TOI , “JNUSU, in its first meeting with the officials of the health centre, discussed the matter of dog biting and requested them to rehabilitate and provide proper measures to avoid such cases in future.”The notice references several provisions under RPwD Act, including the university’s obligation to ensure the safety, accessibility and dignity of the persons with disabilities. It has said if JNU fails to submit the reply within the stipulated time, the matter may be decided ex parte.