Delhi Police File FIR Against Protesting Students In JNU Sloganeering Row

JNU Slogan Row: Delhi Police on Wednesday registered an FIR against Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students who raised objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during a protest on campus earlier this week.

The FIR was filed based on the complaint received from JNU’s Chief Security Officer in Vasant Kunj North Police Station under Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of public peace) and Section 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The police action came after a group of students associated with the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) raised anti-Modi and anti-government slogans during a gathering at “Guerilla

Dhaba” on the campus.

Around 30–40 students, associated with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF) and All India Students’ Association (AISA), were present when the slogans were raised after the Supreme Court denied bail to former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case.

Four office-bearers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), along with several other students affiliated with Left student organisations were identified in connection with the objectionable sloganeering. The four JNUSU office-bearers identified by the university are Danish Ali, joint secretary, Aditi Mishra, president; Gopika K Babu, vice president; and Sunil, general secretary.

Apart from the union office-bearers, the administration has also named other students from different Left student groups, including Saad Azmi, Pakeeza Khan, Shubham, Kanishk Shashank and Mehmood Ilahi.

Earlier on Tuesday, the university administration said that it would take strictest action against protesting students. It warned that those involved could face immediate suspension, expulsion and permanent debarment from the university.

“The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration has vowed the strictest action against students found raising objectionable slogans against Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Home Minister. Students involved in this incident will also face disciplinary measures including immediate suspension, expulsion and permanent debarment from the University,” it said.

The university administration also said that competent authorities have taken serious note of the incident and directed the university’s security branch to cooperate fully with the police investigation.

It stressed that such sloganeering is inconsistent with democratic dissent, violates the JNU Code of Conduct, and has the potential to seriously disturb public order, campus harmony, and the safety and security environment of both the university and the nation.

A report submitted by the Chief Security Officer to the JNU Proctor concluded that the slogans raised were deliberate and intentional, and not a spontaneous expression of protest.