JNU Condemns Anti-Modi, Anti-Shah Slogans Amid Supreme Court Verdict

Supreme Court Bail Denial Sparks Anti-Modi, Anti-Shah Protests at Jawaharlal Nehru University

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has taken “serious cognisance” of videos showing students raising anti-Modi and anti-Shah slogans on campus. The slogans were reportedly chanted during a programme commemorating the sixth anniversary of the January 5, 2020, JNU violence. 

The university described the acts as “highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory,” noting that such behaviour violates the JNU Code of Conduct and threatens campus harmony and public order.

Supreme Court Bail Denial Sparks Student Reaction

The incident followed the Supreme Court’s denial of bail for JNU alumni Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots case. Around 30–35 students had gathered outside the hostel for the programme titled “A Night of Resistance with Guerilla Dhaba.” 

Officials noted that the atmosphere shifted after the verdict, with slogans repeatedly chanted in a manner that disrespected the Court and breached campus regulations.

University Action and Legal Steps

JNU has requested the Vasant Kunj (North) police station to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the individuals involved, as per the reports. The university urged stakeholders to differentiate between “dissent, abuse and hate speech” and warned that strict action would follow if such activities continue. 

The statement emphasized that acts of wilful disrespect to constitutional institutions undermine democratic discourse.

Political Reactions and Public Response

BJP condemned the slogans and claimed that the opposition parties were indirectly promoting such actions. On the other hand, the Congress party affirmed citizens’ right to protest against the decisions of the courts but condemned the use of provocative language. 

The incident has reignited debates around freedom of expression, student activism, and accountability on university campuses. This highlights the fine line between dissent and actions that disrupt law and order.

Balancing Dissent and Order

The issue of campus decorum versus freedom of speech is still very much alive and debated, as seen in this episode. If one compares the JNU case to the previous incidents of unrest in Indian universities, one can see the administrative intervention and the FIR request of JNU as an attempt to support the legal tradition.

In the future, it might become necessary for universities to set up stricter protest regulations in order to avoid situations that could easily compromise both students’ safety and the reputation of the institution.