JNU Seeks FIR After Controversial Slogans Against Modi and Shah During Protest
JNU Administration Takes Action
On Tuesday, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration reached out to the Delhi Police, requesting the filing of a first information report (FIR) following allegations that students chanted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a campus protest, as reported by a local news outlet.
The protest, organized by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), commemorated the sixth anniversary of a violent incident that occurred on January 5, 2020, when a mob invaded the campus, injuring numerous students and faculty members.
Footage of the alleged slogan chanting has been shared widely on social media platforms.
In a letter sent to the Vasant Kunj (North) Police, the university's security department noted that a gathering took place around 10 PM the previous day, involving students linked to the JNUSU.
The letter indicated that the event, initially intended to honor the January 5 incident, saw participation from approximately 30 to 35 students, according to another news source.
However, the tone of the gathering reportedly shifted dramatically after the Supreme Court denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who are implicated in a supposed larger conspiracy related to the 2020 Delhi riots.
Following this, some attendees began to chant slogans deemed highly objectionable and inflammatory.
The letter expressed that such actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for constitutional institutions and the principles of civil discourse, as quoted by a local news outlet. It emphasized the need for all parties to recognize the difference between dissent and hate speech that could incite public disorder.
The administration asserted that the slogans were deliberate and repeated, indicating a conscious effort to provoke rather than a spontaneous outburst.
Furthermore, the letter claimed that these actions showed contempt for the Supreme Court and breached the university's code of conduct.
It also identified several students allegedly involved in the protest, including four members of the student union, as reported by a local news outlet.
In a separate statement, the JNU administration acknowledged the seriousness of the videos circulating from the protest near the Sabarmati Hostel.
They stated that such slogans contradict democratic dissent, violate university regulations, and could disrupt campus harmony and safety, as reported by another news source.
Aditi Mishra, the president of the JNUSU, mentioned that students hold this protest annually to condemn the violence that occurred on campus on January 5, 2020.
She clarified that the slogans raised were ideological and not aimed at any individual, according to a news agency.
Political Fallout from the Incident
The incident has sparked a heated exchange between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticized JNU, labeling it as a hub for the 'tukde tukde' gang, and stated that individuals expressing pro-Pakistan sentiments would not be tolerated in India.
Singh accused various political figures, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and members of the Trinamool Congress, of being part of this so-called gang, which he claims seeks to divide the nation.
He further stated that those chanting slogans against PM Modi and Amit Shah should face treason charges, suggesting that historical precedents exist for dealing with such dissent.
#WATCH | Pune | On the reported sloganeering against PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah in JNU campus yesterday, Union Minister Giriraj Singh says, "JNU has become the office of the 'Tukde-Tukde Gang' and people with anti-national mindsets like Rahul Gandhi, whether they belong to… pic.twitter.com/bLJuZR6UoJ
— News Media (@NewsMedia) January 6, 2026
BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain remarked that the slogans were a reaction to the Supreme Court's denial of bail to Khalid and Imam.
In contrast, Congress leader Rashid Alvi suggested that those who shouted the slogans might be linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP, questioning why the Delhi Police did not act beforehand despite having prior knowledge.
Alvi drew parallels between the current situation and historical tactics used by oppressive regimes.
Congress leader Udit Raj also interpreted the sloganeering as a form of expressing discontent, according to another news source.