The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration has asserted that strict action would be taken against the students who raised objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during a protest on Monday. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the university stated that an FIR has already been lodged, adding that students involved in the incident will face serious actions, including 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. An FIR has already been lodged in the matter," the university stated in its post.
"Universities are centres for innovation and new ideas, and they cannot be permitted to be converted into laboratories of hate. Freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right," it added. The administration further stated that those involved in such activities will face harsh action, including expulsion and permanent debarment.
"But any form of violence, unlawful conduct or anti-national activity will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Students involved in this incident will also face disciplinary measures including immediate suspension, expulsion and permanent debarment from the University," the university asserted.
Earlier on Monday, left-wing student groups raised slogans against PM Modi and Amit Shah inside the campus following the Supreme Court’s decision to deny bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The slogans were raised during a gathering at the “Guerilla Dhaba” on the university premises in the evening hours.
Several BJP leaders, including Shehzad Poonawalla and Pradeep Bhandari criticised them for raising such slogans, adding that the same people wanted to divide India. The Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, citing serious charges against them.