**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1232 on July 28, 2025, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, addressed the cancellation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and a Turkish University. JNU, an autonomous organization governed by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Act of 1966, made the decision to suspend the MoU with Inonu University, Malatya, Turkiye on May 14, 2025, due to national security considerations. The university informed the ministry that this decision was taken with the approval of its Statutory bodies such as Executive Council, Academic Council and Court. No students are currently pursuing Higher Education and Research Programmes in Turkish Universities. The question also inquired whether similar actions were being taken against other countries that supported Pakistan during "Operation Sindoor," however, the response did not provide details on actions against other countries beyond the JNU-Inonu University MoU suspension.
Key Entities Referenced
Jawaharlal Nehru University: A statutory autonomous organization established under Jawaharlal Nehru University Act 1966.
Turkish University: Refers to Inonu University, Malatya, Turkiye, with which Jawaharlal Nehru University had an MoU.
Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan: The individual who raised the unstarred question No. 1232 in Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Inonu University, Malatya, Turkiye: The specific Turkish University with which JNU had an MoU, located in Malatya, Turkiye.
Operation Sindoor: A military operation during which Turkey Government allegedly supported Pakistan.
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for education, formerly known as Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1232
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Cancellation of MoU Signed with Turkish University by JNU
1232. Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has cancelled the MoU signed with Turkish
University for all educational/research programmes due to support extended by Turkey
Government to Pakistan during recent Military Operation Sindoor;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total number of students pursuing Higher Education and Research Programmes in Turkish
University;
(d) whether such action is being taken against all those countries which supported Pakistan during
Operation Sindoor;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (f): Jawaharlal Nehru University is a statutory autonomous organization established under
Jawaharlal Nehru University Act 1966 and governed by provisions of the Acts and Statutes,
Ordinances, Regulations made thereunder. The administrative and academic decisions are taken
by the University with the approval of its Statutory bodies such as Executive Council, Academic
Council and Court. The University has informed that on 14 May 2025, it suspended the MoU with
Inonu University, Malatya, Turkiye due to national security considerations. No student is pursuing
Higher Education and Research Programmes in Turkish University.
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