JNU Imposes Strict Penalties on Students for Vandalising Facial Recognition Gates
In a significant disciplinary action, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has rusticated five students, including former students' union president Nitish Kumar, for two semesters. The university has also barred them from entering the campus and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on each individual. This decision follows their involvement in vandalising facial recognition technology (FRT)-based access gates at the Dr B R Ambedkar Central Library during protests held last year.
Details of the Disciplinary Orders
According to orders issued by the Office of the Chief Proctor on Monday, the students were found guilty of serious acts of violence, coercion, and extensive damage to university property during an incident on November 21, 2024. The rustication applies to the Winter and Monsoon Semesters of 2026, and the students have been declared out of bounds from the entire JNU campus with immediate effect.
The students penalised include Nitish Kumar, a PhD scholar at the Centre for Political Studies, along with JNUSU office-bearers Gopika Babu, Aditi Mishra, Sunil Yadav, and Danish Ali. The university's order against Nitish specifically noted that he destroyed FRT access gates installed at a cost of approximately Rs 20 lakh at the library.
Specific Allegations and Actions
Nitish Kumar was accused of cutting the wires of the FRT system with scissors, forcibly pulling out cameras and camera stands, and uprooting the machines by dismantling panels. The order stated that this act of vandalism was premeditated, as evidenced by the tools brought by the students.
Gopika Babu, JNUSU Vice President and a PhD scholar at the Centre for the Study of Law and Governance, allegedly vandalised the FRT system alongside others. She is also accused of delivering a provocative speech while standing on the dismantled panels, justifying the act of vandalism.
Aditi Mishra, JNUSU President, was recorded as having cut wires with scissors and dismantled machine panels. The order highlighted that she did not heed repeated requests from security personnel to stop damaging the machines, showing utter disrespect to them.
Similar allegations were detailed in orders against Sunil Yadav and Danish Ali, who served as General Secretary and Joint Secretary of JNUSU, respectively. All students were found to have violated Statute 32(5) of the university's code, which covers acts of violence, coercion, and damage to university property.
University's Investigation and Response
The university constituted a Proctorial Inquiry Committee after receiving complaints from the Acting Librarian and the Chief Security Officer. Show-cause notices were issued to the students, but their replies were deemed unsatisfactory and insufficient to dislodge the findings of the inquiry.
The orders emphasised that the students' actions constituted multiple violations under Category III offences, which include all acts of violence, forms of coercion, and damaging or defacing university property. This disciplinary measure underscores the university's stance on maintaining campus discipline and protecting its assets.
When contacted for comment, university officials did not respond to calls and messages from The Indian Express. This incident highlights ongoing tensions at JNU regarding technological implementations and student protests, reflecting broader debates on privacy, security, and academic freedom in Indian higher education institutions.
