Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has summoned a dozen hostel presidents and several students for taking part in a protest programme in front of the residence of vice- chancellor Shantishree Pandit in September over water crisis in hostels.

The hostel presidents on Tuesday described the actions of JNU “arbitrary”.

The proctor’s office issued summons to these students on November 6 and again on Monday asking them to appear before the proctor and explain their position.

According to the rules, the students are not allowed to hold a protest against the residence of any university functionary.

In a statement, the hostel presidents said the hostels have been struggling with an acute water crisis for the last few years.

The presidents of all the hostels informed departments concerned, wrote letters and held several meetings with hostels wardens, engineering department, dean as well as with the vice-chancellor.

“But the situation remained as it is. In August and September as the Chandrabhaga, Koyna, Lohit and Shipra residents had to use muddy and smelly water coming from Barak sump, which led to severe health and sanitation problems among the residents,” it said.

The students also demanded enough supply of clean drinking water and installation of more water coolers in the hostels as the existing ones are far from enough.

“The decision to call a protest at the VC’s house was the last option left with residents as other options were exhausted without any solution,” it said.