JNUSU Accuses Varsity Administration of Targeting Student Leaders
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has accused the university administration of singling out student representatives after Delhi Police issued enquiry notices to current and former union office bearers.
The notices relate to protests opposing surveillance measures introduced at the BR Ambedkar Central Library.
In a statement, JNUSU alleged that the move was aimed at intimidating student activists and suppressing dissent on campus.
Police Notices Follow FIR by University
According to the Union, the enquiry notices stem from a First Information Report filed by the university administration.
The FIR names current JNUSU office bearers, including president Aditi Mishra, vice president Gopika, general secretary Sunil, joint secretary Danish, and former Union president Nitish Kumar.
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Mishra said the student leaders had been asked to appear at a police station on Saturday, January 3, for questioning. She described the action as an attempt to criminalise student protests.
Opposition to Surveillance Measures at Library
The controversy centres on the installation of facial recognition cameras and magnetic entry gates at the university’s central library. JNUSU said students opposed the measures due to concerns over privacy, restricted access, and increased surveillance.
The union argued that the administration prioritised surveillance infrastructure while ignoring longstanding issues such as inadequate book availability, limited seating, and shorter library hours.
Students have repeatedly raised concerns over budget cuts and what they describe as administrative neglect of academic facilities.
Administration Accused of Breaking Assurances
JNUSU claimed that magnetic entry gates were first installed in August last year without consulting students. Protests led by the then student union forced the administration to remove the gates.
Library officials later assured students that any future changes would be discussed by an independent committee that included student representatives. However, the union alleged that the administration went back on this promise.
According to JNUSU, the gates were reinstalled during the student union elections in November 2025, a period when many students were focused on the polling process. The newly elected union protested the move soon after.
Demand for Withdrawal of Cases
Following the protests, the administration allegedly issued proctorial notices and filed police complaints against student leaders. JNUSU strongly condemned the action, calling it an attack on democratic rights within the campus.
The union has demanded the immediate withdrawal of all cases and urged the administration to engage in dialogue instead of punitive measures.
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