Jawaharlal Nehru University found itself at the centre of fresh controversy on Tuesday after videos circulated online showing a group of students raising provocative and incendiary slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Responding swiftly, the JNU administration strongly condemned the incident and made it clear that the university would take the strictest possible action against any students found guilty of raising objectionable slogans on campus.
In a sharply worded statement shared through JNU’s official X handle, the administration emphasised that universities are meant to function as spaces for intellectual exchange, innovation and the free flow of ideas, and cannot be allowed to turn into platforms that promote hatred or division. While acknowledging that freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right, the university stressed that this freedom comes with responsibilities and cannot be misused to justify unlawful or disruptive conduct.
The administration issued a firm warning that it would not tolerate any form of violence, unlawful behaviour or what it described as anti-national activity within the campus. It underlined that disciplinary action would be determined based on the seriousness of the offence, and could range from immediate suspension to expulsion or even permanent debarment from the university for those found involved.
In its official communication, the university reiterated that there would be zero tolerance for actions that threaten campus harmony or undermine constitutional values. It stated clearly that students connected to the incident would face disciplinary proceedings without exception, and that punishment would be swift and proportionate to the gravity of their actions.
According to a complaint submitted by the JNU administration to the police on Tuesday, a group of around 30 to 35 students allegedly began shouting provocative slogans shortly after the Supreme Court rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The complaint claimed that the nature of the slogans amounted to direct contempt of the apex court. However, officials confirmed that no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered so far.
Rejecting the administration’s allegations, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) president Aditi Mishra, who was present during the incident, denied that the event constituted a protest or involved personal attacks. Speaking to India Today TV, she maintained that the slogans raised were ideological in nature and did not target any individual directly.
When questioned specifically about whether slogans aimed at the Prime Minister and the Home Minister were objectionable, Mishra defended the students’ position by invoking historical grievances. She alleged that the leaders represented an ideology she described as fascist and said the students believed that such an ideology should come to an end, asserting that criticism of those in power was rooted in political conviction rather than personal animosity.
The episode has drawn comparisons with an earlier controversy at JNU nearly a decade ago, when slogans deemed anti-national were allegedly raised on campus following the execution of convicted terrorist Afzal Guru. That incident had led to widespread outrage and resulted in the arrest of then JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and student activist Umar Khalid on charges of sedition, cementing JNU’s reputation as a flashpoint for intense political and ideological clashes.
