New Delhi: Tension gripped Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus once again as Delhi Police registered an FIR following reports of highly objectionable slogans being raised during a gathering. The incident, which unfolded late evening, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed debates on free speech versus hate speech on university campuses.
Eyewitnesses described a charged atmosphere where a group of students allegedly chanted provocative slogans that were deemed anti-national and inflammatory. Videos of the event quickly went viral on social media, prompting swift action from law enforcement. Senior police officials confirmed that the FIR was lodged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those pertaining to promoting enmity between groups.
JNU, long a hotbed for student activism, has witnessed similar controversies in the past, most notably the 2016 sedition row that led to arrests of prominent student leaders. This latest episode comes at a time when the university administration is under scrutiny for maintaining campus discipline amid ongoing protests over various issues.
Police sources revealed that preliminary investigations point to a small faction within a larger student assembly. Teams have been deployed to identify the culprits through CCTV footage and digital traces. ‘We are taking this matter very seriously. No one will be spared if found guilty of disturbing public harmony,’ a senior officer stated.
Student organizations have reacted sharply. While some condemned the slogans as ‘unacceptable,’ others alleged it was a ploy to malign progressive voices. The JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) called for an impartial probe, emphasizing the need to protect dissent.
As investigations deepen, the incident underscores the fragile balance universities must strike between allowing expression and curbing hate. With elections looming and political temperatures rising, all eyes are on how authorities handle this sensitive case. Delhi Police has assured the public of a thorough inquiry, vowing to uphold law and order without bias.