Anti-PM Slogans Bring JNU Back Into National Spotlight: What Exactly Happened on Campus

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has once again found itself at the center of national debate following a protest on its campus where controversial slogans were allegedly raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The incident, which reportedly took place late on January 5, has led to swift administrative action by the university, a police inquiry, and strong reactions from political leaders across the spectrum.

Videos of the alleged sloganeering quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention and reigniting long-standing debates around dissent, free speech, and campus politics at one of India’s most prominent universities.

What Triggered the Controversy

According to the JNU administration, a group of students organized a protest to mark the anniversary of the January 2020 hostel attack incident on the campus. During the demonstration, slogans allegedly referencing the Prime Minister and the Home Minister were raised, escalating tensions within and outside the university.

The controversy intensified after video clips of the protest surfaced online, prompting criticism from several quarters. University officials said the protest occurred around 10 p.m. and was organized by students associated with the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU).

The demonstration came a day after the Supreme Court denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi riots conspiracy case. The February 2020 violence in northeast Delhi, which followed protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), had resulted in the deaths of 53 people and injuries to more than 700 others.

JNU Administration Promises Strict Action

Taking a firm stand, the JNU administration strongly condemned the incident and warned of severe disciplinary action against students found guilty of raising what it termed “objectionable slogans.”

“The administration will take strict action against students who raised objectionable slogans against the Prime Minister and the Home Minister,” JNU said in an official statement posted on its social media platforms. The university emphasized that institutions of higher learning should remain spaces for innovation, critical thinking, and constructive dialogue.

While reiterating the importance of freedom of speech and expression, the administration made it clear that unlawful activities, violence, or any form of anti-national behavior would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

“Students involved in such incidents may face disciplinary action, including immediate suspension, expulsion, or even permanent debarment from the university,” the statement added. University sources indicated that the severity of punishment would depend on the findings of the ongoing inquiry.

Police Complaint Filed, No FIR Yet

The university’s security department has formally requested the filing of a complaint with the Delhi Police. In a letter addressed to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Vasant Kunj (North), officials stated that the protest was organized by JNUSU-affiliated students and began late in the evening.

Delhi Police confirmed that a complaint was received late at night and said the matter is currently under legal examination. However, officials clarified that no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered so far.

According to the security department’s submission, students present during the alleged sloganeering included Aditi Mishra, Gopika Babu, Sunil Yadav, Danish Ali, Saad Azmi, Mehboob Ilahi, Kanishk, Paeza Khan, and Shubham.

BJP Reacts Sharply to JNU Sloganeering

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded strongly to the incident, with senior leaders condemning the alleged slogans. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a controversial remark, stating that the intentions of what he described as Sharjeel Imam’s “offspring” would be crushed.

“We will crush the intentions of these offspring of Sharjeel Imam born in JNU,” Fadnavis said when asked about the reported slogans. “Any wicked intent that supports traitors will be defeated, and we will not allow such activities to succeed.”

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also weighed in, alleging that JNU had become a “camp office” for the so-called “tukde-tukde gang.” He claimed that such elements were being supported by opposition parties and “pro-Pakistan forces.”

JNUSU vs ABVP: War of Words on Campus

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) described the slogans as “controversial” and alleged that those who raised them harbored an anti-Hindu and anti-India mindset. The student organization termed the incident “intellectual terrorism” and accused protestors of promoting divisive ideologies.

Responding to these allegations, JNUSU president Aditi Mishra told Aaj Tak that the slogans were ideological in nature and did not involve any personal attacks. She rejected claims that the protest was anti-national.

In a detailed statement, the JNUSU alleged that the controversy was a “deliberate attempt” to malign the university’s image and divert attention from unresolved issues related to the 2020 campus violence.

“Six years have passed since that night of terror, yet the culprits remain ‘masked’ in the eyes of the law, even though their identities are well known,” the student body said, referring to the January 2020 hostel attack.

The JNUSU further accused sections of the media of misrepresenting the protest to damage JNU’s reputation and justify what it described as increasing repression against students.