JNU Administration to Act Over Controversial Slogans
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration has announced it will take action against students involved in raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during a campus protest. The university described the slogans as “provocative and objectionable” and said such behaviour could disrupt campus harmony.
Incident and University Response
The slogans were raised at a late-night event called “A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba”, which was held to mark the anniversary of violence that occurred on the JNU campus in January 2020. The university administration said in a statement that while freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it does not extend to unlawful conduct or activity that it considers anti-national.
JNU officials have lodged a complaint with the police and warned that students identified in their internal review could face disciplinary measures. These measures may include suspension, expulsion, or permanent debarment from the university if individuals are found responsible for violating the code of conduct.
Students’ Union Reaction
Leaders of the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) pushed back against the administration’s characterisation of the slogans. They described the chants as ideological dissent rather than personal attacks and defended them as an expression of student opinion on national issues. Union representatives also said the protest was organised in response to recent legal developments involving former students associated with the 2020 Delhi riots cases.
Wider Debate on Campus Expression
The incident has reignited debate over the limits of free speech on university campuses in India and the role of student activism in political discourse. Observers say it also highlights ongoing tensions between campus leadership, student bodies, and university administrations when it comes to managing protests and political expression.
