JNU protest sparks political row
A political slugfest broke out on Tuesday after sloganeering against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Monday evening over the denial of bail by the Supreme Court to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 riots conspiracy case, prompting the Delhi Police to launch a probe into the matter.
Asserting that “any unlawful conduct or anti-national activity will not be tolerated”, the varsity said that an FIR has been registered in the Monday incident and the strictest action will be taken against students found raising objectionable slogans. In a post on X, the university said, “An FIR has already been lodged in connection with the incident. The administration has vowed the strictest action against students found raising objectionable slogans against the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.”
The varsity said that while freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right, universities are centres of learning and innovation and cannot be allowed to become spaces for hatred. Any form of violence, unlawful conduct or activities that undermine national unity would not be tolerated, it asserted. The administration said students involved in the incident would face disciplinary action, which could include immediate suspension, expulsion, or permanent debarment.
The University also ordered an internal inquiry, as BJP leaders, including Union and Delhi ministers, expressed anger over the incident, alleging that the slogans reflected the “Urban Naxal mindset that is supported by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress”. The University has named several students, including current Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) president Aditi Mishra, and said they were identified during the programme. It claimed that the slogans were “deliberate”, “repeated” and had the “potential to seriously disrupt public order, campus harmony and security”.
Earlier, the varsity in a statement stated that it had taken serious cognisance of videos from a protest in which the students’ union raised “highly objectionable, provocative, and inflammatory” slogans, asserting that such actions demonstrate a “wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions”. It has requested the police to register an FIR after slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were raised during a programme on Monday night. According to the letter, the University’s Security Department said the programme was organised around 10 pm by students linked to the JNUSU.
A group of JNU students, including the Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF), All India Students’ Association (AISA) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) gathered near the ‘Guerrilla Dhaba’ inside the campus. According to a purported video of the protest, which was held on Monday night, slogans condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were raised.The protests took place hours after the Supreme Court denied bail to former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders have accused Left-wing groups of promoting anti-India ideology on campus. In a post on X, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said. “Modi-Shah Ki Kabar Khudegi ?? In a safe and free India, these people keep abusing the prime minister but seek freedom. INDIA will be free from such sick people !”We live in a country where the prime minister is openly abused... Yet these mentally ill people demand freedom.” Delhi ministers Kapil Mishra, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Ashish Sood on Tuesday criticised the raising of controversial slogans at JNU against Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Supreme Court’s decision to deny bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.
Law Minister Kapil Mishra said, “Snakes are being crushed and the snakelets are screaming. Those who are chanting slogans in support of criminals, Naxalites, and terrorists have now become frustrated because their evil plans are being shattered one by one. Those supporting these criminals should be given severe punishment.” Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said protesting against a Supreme Court order is unacceptable. “If people start opposing court verdicts, the system will collapse,” he said, alleging that some groups wanted to weaken the country. Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said such activities fall within the ambit of sedition, and I condemn them in the strongest possible terms. He said people were free to protest against government policies, including those related to education, water, security or farmers, but there should be decorum in political discourse and no activity should go against the nation.
The JNU administration, in a letter addressed to the SHO of Vasant Kunj (North), said a programme, “A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba,” was organised around 10 pm by students linked to the JNUSU. The gathering initially appeared limited to commemorating the January 5, 2020 incident, with around 30 to 35 students present. However, the nature of the event changed following a judicial verdict on the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, after which some participants allegedly raised “inflammatory and objectionable” slogans, it read.
“Such an act reflects a wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions and established norms of civil and democratic discourse. All stakeholders must understand the clear distinction between dissent, abuse and hate speech, which leads to public disorder,” the statement issued by the university registrar said.
The university states that certain students raised “highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory” slogans and are in direct contempt of the Supreme Court. The university urged stakeholders to refrain from engaging in any “such unwarranted activities” and cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony on campus. Failure to do so will result in strict action being taken in accordance with the rules.
“JNU administration has taken very serious cognisance of the videos being circulated of the protest organised at Sabarmati premises yesterday (Monday) wherein a group of students from JNUSU raised highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory slogans,” the statement read. “The Competent Authority has taken serious note of the incident and the Security Branch has been asked to cooperate with the police in the investigation,” it added.
