Universities across India are filing police complaints against students for expressing dissent. This trend replaces internal disciplinary actions with criminal charges, students and activists report. The University of Hyderabad (UoH), Lucknow University (LU), University of Kerala (KU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Azim Premji University (APU) have all filed cases this year.
University of Hyderabad: WhatsApp Status Case
In February, a first-year postgraduate student at UoH faced an First Information Report (FIR) filed by the university. The complaint stemmed from alleged screenshots of his WhatsApp status. The student maintains the images were doctored to show offensive remarks. Campus security and police delivered the information to his hostel. He states the dispute began as a personal conflict with a classmate. Screenshots allegedly showed derogatory remarks about a religious figure and rural students. The student denies posting these statuses. He reported the screenshots were fabricated.
The student informed UoH’s chief proctor the day after learning of the screenshots. He provided a written statement denying the allegations. The student claims the complaint also included material from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He states a full proctorial board inquiry did not precede the police complaint. The university did not hold a comprehensive internal review. Weeks later, police questioned the student and temporarily took his phone. The FIR was registered under sections related to public tranquility and provocative behavior. The student reports significant psychological stress from the legal process.
Lucknow University: Mosque Closure Protest
In late February, LU filed an FIR against 50 unnamed students. This followed protests against the closure of the Lal Baradari mosque on campus. Students questioned the legality of shutting the prayer space. The administration responded with notices and a police complaint. Charges included rioting, vandalism, and disturbing communal harmony. Students protested the university’s February 22 decision to close the mosque without notice.
Students requested executive orders, inspection reports, and financial audits related to the decision. Instead, the university filed a complaint. Shantam Nidhi, an All India Students’ Association (AISA) member, called the move alarming. Police issued challans of Rs 50,000 each to 18 students. These students were required to pay and sign an undertaking against participating in protests for a year. An FIR also listed approximately 50 “unknown” students.
University of Kerala and Azim Premji University
KU filed a complaint after the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) protested the vice-chancellor in February. The protest followed the university’s decision to dismiss the Kerala University College Union before its term ended. This decision was later overturned by the Kerala High Court. M. Shivaprasad, SFI state president, stated the registrar acted on the vice-chancellor’s instructions. The vice-chancellor reportedly followed the governor’s directives.
At APU, the university registrar filed a police complaint after a talk organized by the Spark Reading Circle. The event was allegedly disrupted by outsiders, identified as ABVP members. The situation escalated to a confrontation. The university filed complaints against the intruders and the organizers’ social media handle. The student council criticized this action as disproportionate. The university stated the event was not approved. They filed a complaint against intruders for vandalism and assault. A second complaint targeted a social media handle for unauthorized use of the university name.
JNU: Recurring Protests and Police Action
JNU has experienced multiple protests involving police action in 2024. In January, the administration sought an FIR after alleged “provocative” slogans were raised at a campus event. Delhi Police registered an FIR following a complaint from the university’s chief security officer. This event marked the anniversary of 2020 campus violence.
In February, 14 students were arrested during a protest march. The march opposed remarks by JNU Vice-Chancellor Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit. Concerns included UGC equity regulations, rustication of JNUSU office bearers, and the proposed Rohith Act. Student leaders argue these actions criminalize dissent. They state universities should use internal mechanisms to resolve disagreements. Activists highlight a pattern of treating student concerns as law-and-order issues.