Key points
- JNU Students’ Union organised a protest on campus after the Supreme Court rejected the bail applications of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
- The demonstration took place near Sabarmati Hostel, with students from left leaning groups reportedly participating.
- During the protest, some students allegedly raised controversial slogans against PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Gautam Adani.
- Delhi based political leaders, including Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Union Minister Giriraj Singh, strongly condemned the slogans, calling the protesters “separatist” and “anti national”.
- Congress leader Udit Raj defended the anger on campus and termed the court’s decision “unfortunate”, alleging injustice because the accused are Muslims.
- Social media commentators described the agitation as support for “anti India ideology”, while police and JNU administration have not yet issued a formal statement on the incident.
- Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam remain in custody in cases linked to the Delhi riots conspiracy and related charges under UAPA.
Tension escalated on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus in Delhi on Monday after the Supreme Court rejected the bail applications of former JNU student leader Umar Khalid and activist Sharjeel Imam. In response to the order, the JNU Students’ Union, JNUSU, called a protest on campus, which was held outside the Sabarmati Hostel in the evening.
According to students present at the spot, the demonstration drew participants from various left-leaning student organisations and collectives. The protesters carried placards, raised slogans against what they called “selective targeting of activists,” and demanded the release of Khalid and Imam, who have been in custody for an extended period in connection with Delhi riots-related cases.
Alleged slogans against Modi, Shah, and Adani
The protest quickly became the centre of political controversy after videos circulated on social media purportedly showing a group of students raising sharp slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and industrialist Gautam Adani. Some of the slogans, critics claim, went beyond criticism of government policy and were abusive in nature.
Sources on campus said JNUSU Joint Secretary Danish and JNUSU Secretary Sunil were present in the area during the sloganeering. However, it is not yet clear which specific students raised the controversial slogans and whether any formal complaint has been filed. So far, neither the Delhi Police nor the JNU administration has issued an official statement confirming the details captured in the viral clips.
Political uproar and sharp reactions
The incident triggered an immediate political storm in Delhi. Senior leader and Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned the protest and linked it directly to the Supreme Court’s decision. He said, “If there are protests against the Supreme Court’s decisions in this country, then what will be left? These people do not respect the country, the Constitution, and the law; these are people with separatist ideologies.”
Sirsa further criticised the language allegedly used against the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, terming it “extremely shameful”. He also accused opposition parties of standing behind such protests, adding, “The Aam Aadmi Party and Congress are always seen supporting these people.”
Social media debate over ‘anti India ideology’
The protest and the videos from JNU sparked a fresh wave of debate on social media platforms. Supporters of the government described the gathering as an endorsement of “anti-India ideology, while student activists and some civil society voices framed it as an expression of dissent against the use of stringent laws.
Commentator Pradeep Bhandari reacted sharply, posting on X that, “This is not a protest on JNU soil, but support for anti India ideology, these so-called ‘intellectual terrorists’ could also be academics, doctors or engineers.” His remarks were widely shared by those questioning the culture of campus politics at JNU, which has often been at the centre of national debate over slogans and demonstrations.
Congress’s response, ‘anger over Supreme Court decision.’
The opposition Congress tried to draw attention to what it termed the larger issue of perceived injustice. Party leader Udit Raj said that the protest reflected rising anger in universities over the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail. “This is a way of expressing anger; there is anger in JNU regarding the Supreme Court’s decision. Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have been subjected to injustice because they are Muslims, the Supreme Court’s decision is unfortunate,” he said.
By foregrounding the religious identity of the accused, Udit Raj’s remarks added a new dimension to the political controversy, with critics accusing him of communalising a judicial decision, while his supporters argued that he was flagging concerns about discrimination in the criminal justice system.
Giriraj Singh targets ‘tukde tukde gang’
Union Minister Giriraj Singh also weighed in on the JNU protest, reviving the “tukde tukde gang” phrase that has frequently been used by BJP leaders for sections of the student Left and some activists. Reacting to the reported anti-Modi, anti-Shah slogans, he said the opposition was standing with forces that want to “break India”.
“These are all people with anti-national mindsets. JNU has become a hub for the ‘break India’ gang,” Singh said. In a strongly worded remark, he added, “These people who were digging the graves of Modi and Shah have themselves ended up in their own graves.” His comments reflected the ruling party’s wider narrative that certain student and activist networks are working against the unity and integrity of the country.
Background, cases against Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
Umar Khalid, a former JNU student leader, and Sharjeel Imam, a former JNU student and activist, are key accused in cases related to the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy. They have been charged under serious provisions, including sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, UAPA, and allegations of delivering speeches and participating in meetings that investigators claim contributed to the violence.
Both have consistently denied the allegations, asserting that they are being targeted for their political views and activism against the Citizenship Amendment Act, CAA. Their bail pleas have been keenly watched by civil liberties groups and student organisations, who argue that prolonged incarceration without trial raises concerns about due process. The Supreme Court’s latest decision to reject their bail has intensified this debate and now sparked visible unrest at one of India’s most politically active campuses.
No official word yet from the police or JNU
Despite the controversy and the political reactions, there has been no detailed press note from the Delhi Police or a formal circular from the JNU administration about Monday’s protest at Sabarmati Hostel. Officials are expected to review the videos and reports before deciding on further action, including whether any FIR will be registered or disciplinary inquiry initiated.
Meanwhile, student organisations on campus say they will continue to hold meetings and discussions on the Supreme Court verdict and the broader implications for civil liberties, even as the political spotlight on JNU intensifies once again.
