JNU Seeks FIR After Provocative Slogans Against PM Modi, Amit Shah

Jawaharlal Nehru University has asked Delhi Police to register an FIR over alleged objectionable slogans shouted on campus near Sabarmati Hostel on 5 January, during a late-night gathering that was filmed and shared online. The event, linked by organisers to past campus violence, has now triggered a formal security complaint and an internal inquiry.

According to officials, the administration viewed the videos and treated the matter as a serious disciplinary concern under the JNU Code of Conduct. The university has argued that the slogans went beyond protest, and has flagged possible threats to campus peace, public order and wider institutional respect within the country.

JNU slogans controversy and FIR demand

In a detailed letter sent to Vasant Kunj (North) Police, the Security Department said students “associated with the JNUSU” held a programme around 10 pm on 5 January at Sabarmati Hostel. It stated the meeting, titled “A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba”, initially appeared to mark the sixth anniversary of the 2020 campus violence.

The same letter noted about 30-35 students at the spot when the programme began and named several participants allegedly identified during the gathering, including four members of the JNUSU. The communication said that, after a judicial order on the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, the tone of the event changed and some students started shouting “highly objectionable, provocative, and inflammatory slogans”.

The Security Department described the slogans as “direct contempt of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India” and said they were “clearly audible, deliberate, and repeated”. The letter also claimed the shouting showed “intentional and conscious misconduct rather than any spontaneous or inadvertent expression”, and argued that such behaviour was “wholly inconsistent with democratic dissent” and could disrupt campus harmony and security.

JNU slogans probe and student responses

Administrative sources told media that the probe into the JNU slogans incident was still at an early stage. One official said, “The names we have identified so far are only the preliminary ones and more will be added subject to inquiry. The university, at its level, has started an inquiry as to who exactly was giving out these slogans. We have written to the Delhi Police to consider filing an FIR under relevant sections against these students.”

The same complaint recorded that security staff were on the scene throughout and “closely monitored the situation” as the JNU slogans continued. The security office also wrote, “I have also been directed to request you to lodge an FIR under relevant sections of BNS in the above incident.” The university stressed its concern over any impact on wider public order beyond the campus.

Registrar Ravikesh later issued a formal statement on the JNU slogans episode, saying the institution had taken “serious cognizance of the videos being circulated of the protest organised at Sabarmati premises yesterday, wherein a group of students from JNUSU raised highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory slogans…”. The statement underlined the administration’s view that the conduct went against campus rules and accepted democratic norms.

The Registrar added, “Raising of such slogans is wholly 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 the university and the nation. Such an act reflects a wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions and established norms of civil and democratic discourse. All stakeholders must understand the clear distinction between dissent, abuse and hate speech which leads to public disorder. All stakeholders are requested to desist from indulging in any such unwarranted activities and cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony on campus, failing which strict action will be taken as per rules,” reiterating the warning of disciplinary steps.

JNUSU general secretary Sunil Yadav confirmed that the student union had called for a remembrance event on 5 January but chose not to address the JNU slogans row. Yadav said, “Last night, as part of a remembrance, the student union had issued a 'guerrilla dhaba' call near Sabarmati [hostel] to commemorate the violence that took place in JNU on January 5, 2020. As far as the slogans are concerned, I cannot comment on this at the moment.”

The 2020 incident referred to by students involved masked attackers entering the JNU campus on 5 January that year and injuring several students and teachers, including then JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh. Former JNUSU joint secretary and ABVP leader Vaibhav Meena criticised the current union over the latest JNU slogans episode, alleging in a video message, “The way they protested is completely shameful… They protested against the Indian state, against the Indian judiciary, the Supreme Court.”