JNU Seeks Police Action After Late-Night Protest Turns Controversial, FIR Requested Over Sloganeering
Jawaharlal Nehru University on Tuesday formally approached the police seeking registration of an FIR following a late-night gathering on its campus during which a group of students allegedly raised provocative and objectionable slogans targeting constitutional authorities, including the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.
The incident took place late Monday night near Sabarmati Hostel, where a small group of students assembled under a programme described as a remembrance event marking six years of the January 5, 2020, campus violence.
Videos of the sloganeering soon surfaced on social media, triggering sharp reactions from the university administration.
University Flags Shift in Nature of Event
In a detailed communication to the Delhi Police, specifically the Vasant Kunj (North) police station, JNU’s Security Department stated that the programme began around 10 pm and was organised by students “associated with the JNU Students’ Union” under the title “A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba”.
According to the letter, the gathering initially appeared to be a peaceful commemoration of the January 2020 violence, with around 30 to 35 students present.
However, the university alleged that the tone and content of the event changed significantly later in the night.
The administration claimed that following recent judicial developments related to bail pleas in high-profile cases, certain students began raising slogans that were “highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory”
The university asserted that the slogans were not spontaneous but deliberate and repeated, warranting serious legal scrutiny.
Alleged Violation of Law and Campus Code
The varsity maintained that the slogans amounted to wilful misconduct and showed disrespect towards constitutional institutions, including the Supreme Court of India.
It said such expressions went far beyond the scope of democratic dissent and directly violated the JNU Code of Conduct.
In its communication to the police, the university warned that such acts have the potential to disturb public order, disrupt campus harmony and undermine the safety and security environment of the institution.
Security personnel were present at the site throughout the programme and monitored the situation, the letter added.
The administration requested the police to invoke relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and initiate criminal proceedings against those identified during the event.
The letter also named several students who were allegedly recognised at the site, including members of the current JNUSU, while clarifying that the inquiry remains at a preliminary stage and more names may emerge.
Registrar Issues Stern Warning
JNU Registrar Ravikesh, in an official statement, said the university has taken serious cognisance of the videos circulating online.
He underlined that raising inflammatory slogans is incompatible with democratic protest and reflects a disregard for constitutional values and civil discourse.
The statement emphasised the need for all stakeholders to clearly distinguish between legitimate dissent and speech that borders on abuse or incitement.
The registrar warned that failure to maintain discipline and harmony on campus would invite strict action as per university rules and applicable laws.
Student Union Response
The JNU Students’ Union acknowledged that it had given the call for a “guerrilla dhaba” near Sabarmati Hostel as part of a remembrance programme marking the January 5, 202,0 violence, during which several students and teachers were injured, including then JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh.
However, JNUSU office-bearers declined to comment on the specific slogans raised during the gathering, stating that their focus was on commemorating the events of six years ago.
Political and Student Reactions
Former JNUSU joint secretary and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad leader Vaibhav Meena criticised the current student union leadership, accusing it of crossing the line from protest into confrontation with constitutional institutions.
In a video message, he alleged that the nature of the protest reflected opposition not just to the government but also to the Indian state and judiciary.
Inquiry Underway
University officials clarified that the internal inquiry is still in its early stages and that the administration is cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies.
The matter now rests with the police, who will decide on the registration of an FIR and further legal action based on evidence and applicable law.
As the controversy unfolds, the episode has once again placed JNU at the centre of a national debate on the limits of dissent, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of academic spaces to uphold constitutional values.
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