JNU Students Who Shouted Controversial Slogans Face Suspension, Expulsion

Last Updated:January 06, 2026, 8:23 PM IST

JNU stressed that universities are centres for innovation and new ideas, and they cannot be permitted to be converted into laboratories of hate.

Students protest outside a dhaba inside the JNU campus. (FILE IMAGE)

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on Tuesday said that it would take strictest action against students found raising objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during a protest on campus on Monday, warning that those involved could face immediate suspension, expulsion and permanent debarment from the university.

In a series of posts on X, the University said that an FIR has been lodged in the matter and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against students identified in connection with the incident.

“The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration has vowed the strictest action against students found raising objectionable slogans against Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Home Minister. Students involved in this incident will also face disciplinary measures including immediate suspension, expulsion and permanent debarment from the University,” it said.

It stressed that universities are centres for innovation and new ideas, and they cannot be permitted to be converted into laboratories of hate.

Emphasising that although freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right, “any form of violence, unlawful conduct or anti-national activity will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”

Earlier today, the university administration said that competent authorities have taken serious note of the incident and directed the university’s security branch to cooperate fully with the police investigation.

It stressed that such sloganeering is inconsistent with democratic dissent, violates the JNU Code of Conduct, and has the potential to seriously disturb public order, campus harmony, and the safety and security environment of both the university and the nation.

A report submitted by the Chief Security Officer to the JNU Proctor concluded that the slogans raised were deliberate and intentional, and not a spontaneous expression of protest.

The statement came after a group of students associated with the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) raised anti-Modi and anti-government slogans during a gathering at “Guerilla Dhaba” on the campus.

Around 30–40 students, associated with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF) and All India Students’ Association (AISA), were present when the slogans were raised after the Supreme Court denied bail to former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case.

Several students were identified, including Aditi Mishra, Gopika Babu, Sunil Yadav, Danish Ali, Saad Azmi, Mehboob Ilahi, Kanishk, Pakeeza Khan and Shubham, among others. While the programme initially remained peaceful, the report said the nature and tone of the gathering changed significantly following the court verdict.

The protest coincided with multiple issues, including the sixth anniversary of the January 2020 attack on JNU students and teachers, demonstrations over the denial of bail to Khalid and Imam, and opposition to the installation of facial recognition systems and magnetic gates in the university library.

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