Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration has requested Delhi Police register an FIR against students. The university alleges students raised “objectionable, provocative, and inflammatory slogans” during a campus event on the night of January 5 .
The incident occurred outside the Sabarmati hostel. Students organized an event there, titled “A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba.” This gathering marked the sixth anniversary of the January 5, 2020 , campus violence.
JNU’s Allegations
JNU’s chief security officer sent a letter to the Vasant Kunj (North) police station. The university claims specific students, associated with the JNUSU, raised slogans. These slogans were “inconsistent with democratic dissent” and disregarded Supreme Court observations in related cases, according to JNU.
JNU stated the slogans held the potential to disturb public order, campus harmony, and the security environment. The university’s letter described the slogans as “clearly deliberate and repeated.” This indicated intentional misconduct rather than spontaneous expression. JNU requested an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
University Statement on Conduct
The JNU registrar issued a separate statement. The administration took “serious cognizance” of protest videos circulating on social media. The statement affirmed such acts violate the JNU Code of Conduct. It also stated these acts reflect “wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions and norms of civil and democratic discourse.”
The administration called upon all stakeholders to cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony on campus. It warned strict action would follow rule violations, as per university rules. JNU’s security branch will cooperate with the police investigation, the statement confirmed.
Background: 2020 Campus Violence
On January 5, 2020 , a mob attacked students and teachers on the JNU campus. This occurred during protests against a proposed hostel fee hike. The recent January 5 campus event commemorated this earlier incident.
History of Campus Protests
A similar controversy occurred on the JNU campus on January 9, 2016 . Students allegedly raised “anti-India slogans” during an event marking the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, along with students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, faced sedition charges and arrest.
A total of 38 other individuals were named in the chargesheet for the 2016 incident. No action was taken against them due to a lack of evidence. This episode led to months-long campus protests. The university subsequently formed a committee to examine the matter. The Supreme Court recently rejected Umar Khalid’s bail plea in a separate, related case.