What Happened At JNU

The controversy erupted following a student protest organised on Monday night (January 5, 2026) at the Sabarmati Hostel premises by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), where a purported video showed participants raising provocative slogans targeting the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

One of the slogans heard in the circulated video was “Modi-Shah ki kabar khudegi, JNU ki dharti par” (graves of Modi and Shah will be dug on JNU soil), which the university administration termed as inflammatory, provocative and a wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions.

JNU Administration’s Response

In a formal complaint to Vasant Kunj police, the university’s Chief Security Officer described the slogans as constituting “hate speech” and violating the JNU Code of Conduct, requesting registration of an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The administration emphasised that such actions had the “potential to seriously disturb public order, campus harmony, and the safety and security environment of the university and the nation,” and termed the incident a “direct contempt of the Honourable Supreme Court of India.”

Students Named, Disciplinary Action Announced

The university has publicly identified several students allegedly involved in the protest, including current JNUSU president Aditi Mishra, and stated that the slogans were “deliberate,” “repeated,” and aimed at disrupting campus harmony and security.

In a series of official posts on social media, JNU vowed the “strictest action” and warned that students found guilty would face suspension, expulsion or debarment following an internal inquiry now underway.

Context: Protest Linked To Supreme Court Bail Verdict

The demonstration was organised just hours after the Supreme Court declined bail to former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, and also coincided with the sixth anniversary of the January 5, 2020 campus violence.

Left-backed student groups on campus defended the protest as an expression of democratic dissent and solidarity with arrested former students, while the JNUSU leadership declined to comment publicly on the FIR request or the administration’s threat of disciplinary measures.

Political Reactions And Nationwide Debate

The incident triggered sharp political reactions, with the BJP accusing the protesters of extremism and calling JNU a “lab of hate,” while the Congress backed the students’ right to peaceful protest and criticised what it termed a crackdown on dissent.

Delhi ministers and ruling party spokespersons condemned the slogans as “shameless” and “anti-national,” while opposition leaders argued that the administration’s move to file an FIR reflects intolerance toward legitimate campus expression.

JNU’s Stand On Freedom Of Expression

In its official statement, the university reiterated 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.”

University officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told media outlets that the administration held an emergency meeting and is committed to taking corrective action against students found guilty of violating rules and regulations after a thorough investigation.