Students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi held a demonstration on Monday, marking the anniversary of a violent incident on campus. The protest saw participants raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Annual Protest Marks Campus Violence Anniversary
According to JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aditi Mishra, the gathering is an annual event held to condemn the violence that erupted on the university campus on January 5, 2020. The protest serves as a reminder of the clashes that took place several years ago, an event that remains a point of contention and memory for the student body.
Controversial Slogans Echo on Campus
The protest was not without controversy. Attendees were heard chanting slogans directed at the country's top political leadership, namely Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These slogans have drawn significant attention, linking the current demonstration to the broader political discourse surrounding the university.
The timing of the protest is also notable, as it comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings related to the Umar Khalid case. While the protest was framed around the January 5 anniversary, the chants connected the event to wider national political narratives.
Student Leadership Clarifies Stance
JNUSU President Aditi Mishra emphasized the protest's primary focus. She stated that the core purpose was to remember and condemn the January 5, 2020 violence. She framed the demonstration as a recurring, principled stand by the student community against what they perceive as state-backed aggression on their campus.
The event underscores the continued political activism at JNU and highlights the deep-seated tensions between sections of the student community and the central government. The use of strong slogans ensures the protest garners national media spotlight, keeping the debate around campus politics and freedom of expression alive.
