NEW DELHI – Students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) vandalized newly installed face recognition devices on Friday. The incident occurred at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Central Library. Protesters, led by the JNU Students’ Union (JNSU), removed and damaged the systems. Students alleged the technology violated their privacy.
The protest quickly intensified. Videos circulating on social media showed students actively breaking and dismantling the equipment. They chanted “Lal Salaam” during the acts of vandalism. Security personnel tried to stop the destruction. Their attempts resulted in heated arguments with the protesting students. The damage to the university property was extensive.
Student Union Alleges Secret Installation and Privacy Breach
JNSU General Secretary Sunil Yadav stated the face recognition system was installed without proper consultation. He reported the devices appeared “secretly” during the student union election period. Yadav emphasized that a university committee had been formed to examine the system. This committee, he noted, had not yet submitted its official report or recommendations. This procedural bypass fueled student dissatisfaction.
Yadav further criticized the university administration’s priorities. He pointed to several existing infrastructure problems within the library. These issues include inadequate seating capacity for students. Broken furniture is common. Water facilities are insufficient. The library also lacks a proper reading room. “Instead of improving basic infrastructure, the administration is violating student privacy under the guise of this system,” Yadav said. He stressed that essential student needs were being ignored.
History of Opposition and Disciplinary Measures
This incident is not the first time JNU students have protested face recognition technology. JNSU Joint Secretary Danish Ali confirmed previous attempts by the administration to install similar systems. These earlier installations were reportedly halted. Strong student protests had forced the administration to back down.
Ali detailed the disciplinary actions faced by students during these past demonstrations. Students received heavy fines, ranging between Rs 15,000 and Rs 19,000 . One student was also suspended for an entire semester following a previous protest. Ali accused the administration of a lack of transparency. She stated that student perspectives were “never considered.” This was despite multiple meetings with the university librarian and registrar. No clear information or justification was provided to students, Ali added.
Administration Promises “Strict Appropriate Action”
A JNU official, who requested anonymity, stated the university administration takes the damage to public property seriously. The official confirmed that an internal review is underway. The university has formally requested a comprehensive security report on the incident. “Strict appropriate action will be taken after the report is received,” the official stated. This suggests disciplinary measures against the involved students are likely.
The university has not yet issued an official public statement regarding the vandalism. The future status of the face recognition system remains uncertain. The incident highlights ongoing conflicts between the JNU student body and the administration. Core issues include student privacy rights and the prioritization of university resources.