JNU to act against students for anti-Modi chants, says 'universities can't be hate labs'

Shortly after Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was embroiled in yet another controversy, with videos going viral of students chanting incendiary remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the administration on Tuesday condemned the action, vowing the "strictest action against students found raising objectionable slogans."

In a strongly worded post on JNU’s official X handle, the administration said, "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."

The JNU administration further warned students that it would not tolerate any "form of violence, unlawful conduct or anti-national activity." Reacting to the development, the university said that,



depending on the gravity of the offence, those involved would face immediate suspension, expulsion, or permanent debarment from the university.

"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 stated.

According to JNU’s complaint to the police on Tuesday, the letter stated that a group of 30-35 students began chanting provocative slogans soon after the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were rejected. It added that the slogans raised by the students amounted to direct contempt of the Supreme Court. No FIRs have been filed yet.