JNU Erupts: Students Protest Rustication of Union Leaders Amid Vandalism Claims

The air at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is thick with tension once again, as students have taken to the streets, raising their voices against the rustication of prominent student union leaders. It’s a move by the university administration that has, unsurprisingly, ignited a fresh wave of protests, with students vehemently rejecting the allegations that led to these severe disciplinary actions.

At the heart of this unfolding drama are claims of vandalism that allegedly occurred back in March 2023. You might recall, or perhaps you’re just hearing about it, but this incident was tied to a rather controversial screening of a BBC documentary focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When the electricity was abruptly cut off during the screening at the university’s School of International Studies (SIS), things escalated quickly. Students, understandably frustrated, moved their protest outside. It was during this impromptu outdoor demonstration that, according to the university, some students were involved in breaking windows and damaging doors.

The university's proctorial inquiry eventually identified a number of students, including the current JNUSU President, Aishe Ghosh, and Vice President, Saket Moon, as being responsible. The consequences are stark: rustication, which essentially means they’re barred from the university. Imagine being told you can no longer study at the institution you’ve called home and fought for – it’s a heavy blow, to say the least.

But the students aren't just angry; they're deeply concerned and, frankly, quite defiant. They insist that the vandalism charges are baseless, nothing more than a convenient pretext for what they view as a politically motivated crackdown. For many, this isn't an isolated incident but rather another chapter in a long-running saga where the university administration, they argue, attempts to stifle dissent and silence student voices. They see it as a concerted effort to quash any form of protest or critical thought on campus.

Right now, the students are making their demands clear: they want the rustication orders revoked immediately. They’re calling for a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, hoping to bridge the chasm that has opened up between the administration and the student body. The question remains whether dialogue will prevail or if the standoff will continue, further deepening the divisions within this historically vibrant, often turbulent, academic community.