JNU warns of expulsion over slogans against PM Modi, Amit Shah; FIR filed against students

File image: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus

• JNU to suspend, expel or debar students over protest with controversial slogans
• FIR filed and disciplinary action initiated against identified students
• University says hate speech and anti-national activity will not be tolerated

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A day after a protest by students sparked controversy, the Jawaharlal Nehru University administration said students involved in a protest, where controversial slogans were allegedly raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, will face suspension, expulsion or debarment.

In a series of posts on X, the University said that an FIR has been lodged in the matter and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against students identified in connection with the incident.

“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 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. @PMOIndia@HMOIndia@EduMinOfIndia 1/3

— Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) (@JNU_official_50) January 6, 2026

Emphasising that although freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right, the university said that “any form of violence, unlawful conduct or anti-national activity will not be tolerated under any circumstances."

"Universities are centres for innovation and new ideas, and they cannot be permitted to be converted into laboratories of hate," the varsity said in the post.

The University has named several students, including current Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aditi Mishra, and said they were identified during the programme. It claimed that the slogans were "deliberate", "repeated" and had the "potential to seriously disrupt public order, campus harmony and security".

In its complaint to the Vasant Kunj police, the university said the slogans constituted "hate speech" and violated the JNU Code of Conduct. It termed the act "a direct contempt of Honorable Supreme Court of India" and sought the registration of an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

JNU protest

On Monday night, a gathering was organised by the JNU Student Union (JNUSU) titled “Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba” to mark the sixth anniversary of violence that broke out inside the campus on January 5, 2020, in which a group of masked persons had entered the campus and unleashed mayhem by attacking students and teachers.

Around 35 students participated in the protest at JNU’s Sabarmati Hostel premise, according to media reports, during which controversial slogans were allegedly raised against PM Modi, Amit Shah, and industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani. Videos of the protest have since been circulated on social media.

The students allegedly raised slogans after the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid, a former JNU student leader, and Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.