New Delhi, 03 January (H.S.): The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) accused the university administration on Saturday of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against student leaders, following Delhi Police issuance of enquiry notices to current and former office-bearers over protests against surveillance upgrades at the B.R. Ambedkar Central Library.

JNUSU President Aditi Mishra confirmed that the summoned individuals—herself, Vice President Gopika, General Secretary Sunil, Joint Secretary Danish, and former President Nitish Kumar—have been directed to appear at a police station for questioning on the same day.

Spark of the Dispute

The notices stem from an FIR filed by the JNU administration against the five leaders, triggered by demonstrations opposing the installation of facial recognition cameras and magnetic entry gates at the central library.

JNUSU described the measures as an infringement on privacy and freedom of movement, arguing they prioritize surveillance over addressing chronic library deficiencies amid alleged fund cuts.

Students have long demanded expanded seating, more books, and longer hours, but claim the administration diverted scarce resources to these restrictive technologies instead.

Timeline of Protests

Magnetic gates were first introduced in August 2025 without student consultation, sparking large-scale protests led by then-JNUSU office-bearers that compelled their removal.

Library officials promised future decisions would involve an independent committee with student representation.However, the gates were reinstalled during the JNUSU elections in November 2025—elected under the Left Unity panel with Mishra securing 1,861 votes—while many students were preoccupied with voting.

The new union renewed protests, prompting proctorial notices and the police complaint, per JNUSU allegations.Prior incidents include a September 2025 proctorial inquiry into alleged vandalism during August protests and a November scuffle where students damaged a facial recognition device.

In October 2025, JNU rusticated a PhD scholar and fined leaders like Nitish Kumar for related actions, including intimidation of staff.

Union Demands and Broader Context

JNUSU condemned the police action as a dastardly attack to silence dissent, demanding immediate withdrawal of all cases and notices. The union reiterated informing police it neither organized nor participated in certain escalations, framing the row as resistance to administrative overreach.

This episode echoes JNU's history of campus tensions, including 2025 clashes involving police detentions and FIRs against student groups during prior library and ABVP-related protests. University officials have not commented publicly on the latest developments.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar