JNU students to face expulsion over controversial slogans against PM Modi, Amit Shah

New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is once again embroiled in controversy. The university administration has taken a strong stance after videos allegedly showing students chanting offensive slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah went viral.

What is the JNU statement?
 

The JNU administration has made it clear that the campus cannot be allowed to become a "laboratory of hatred" and that strict action will be taken against students found guilty. In a statement released on its official social media handles, the JNU administration said that universities are centers of ideas and innovation, not platforms for spreading hatred. The administration also clarified that freedom of expression is a fundamental right, but violence, illegal activity, or anti-national conduct will not be tolerated in its name.

According to the university administration, students involved in the incident could face actions ranging from suspension and expulsion to permanent removal from the university, depending on the severity of the offense.

“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," the university said in a statement.

"Students involved in this incident will also face disciplinary measures including immediate suspension, expulsion and permanent debarment from the University," the statement added.

How many students are named in the FIR?

The JNU administration has also filed a complaint with the police regarding the matter. According to the complaint, 30 to 35 students allegedly chanted provocative slogans after the bail applications of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were rejected, which is being considered a contempt of court. No FIR has been registered in this case yet.

What do the JNU students say?

However, rejecting these allegations, JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) President Aditi Mishra said that the slogans were ideological and not a personal attack on any individual. 

When asked if she found the slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah offensive, Mishra said, "The Prime Minister and Home Minister are responsible for so many killings that happened in 2002. Who can touch them? But we firmly believe that the fascist ideology they represent must end in this country."

This is not the first time that JNU has been embroiled in controversy over slogans. Previously, a major political and legal controversy arose over alleged anti-national slogans after the execution of Afzal Guru. JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid, who were later arrested on sedition charges, were also present at that time.