Campus Tensions Rise: 28 JNU Students Detained Amid Protest Against Eviction Fines
JNU students detained during protests after fines imposed on leaders for staging hostel eviction demonstrations.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) witnessed heightened tensions on October 18, 2025, as student leaders faced fines totalling Rs 10,000 each for protesting the eviction of PhD scholars from university hostels, leading to a confrontational march and the detention of 28 students, including top JNUSU office-bearers. The penalties, imposed by the JNU proctorial office on JNUSU President Nitish Kumar and All India Students' Association (AISA) President Ranvijay Singh, were decried by student organisations as a blatant attempt to suppress dissent and stifle campus activism. The evening clash near the campus's west gate disrupted traffic on Nelson Mandela Marg, injuring six police personnel and prompting legal action against the protesters, underscoring ongoing friction between the administration and student bodies amid broader concerns over academic equity and housing rights.
The fines stemmed from a sit-in demonstration staged within 100 metres of the Dean of Students' office, which the proctorial inquiry deemed "serious in nature", accusing Kumar of damaging university property and violating campus norms. This crackdown follows a series of evictions targeting over 100 PhD scholars since September 2025, justified by the administration as enforcement of residency rules limiting stays to five years post-MPhil. Critics, including JNUSU and AISA, argue the policy disproportionately affects marginalised students from low-income backgrounds, exacerbating financial burdens in a city where average hostel fees have risen 20% under recent hikes. The protest, initially peaceful, escalated around 6 p.m. when approximately 80 students breached barricades to march toward the main road, allegedly manhandling officers and using abusive language, according to Delhi Police. Among the detained—19 men and nine women—were JNUSU President Nitish Kumar, Vice President Avijit, and General Secretary Anwesha. All were released on bail by late evening after brief questioning at the Chanakyapuri police station.
Police reported minor injuries to six personnel, including two women officers, who received medical checks, attributing the scuffle to the students' aggressive push against security lines. Legal proceedings under sections for unlawful assembly and obstructing public servants have been initiated, with the Directorate of Enforcement expected to review footage from campus CCTV. This incident revives memories of JNU's storied protest history, from the 2016 sedition row to the 2020 fee hike agitations, where student-led movements have often clashed with authorities, drawing national attention to issues of free speech and institutional autonomy. The current administration, under Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit since 2022, has emphasised discipline through a revamped proctorial system, but detractors claim it favours administrative overreach, with over 50 fines issued since August for similar violations.
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As Diwali approaches on October 20, the episode casts a shadow over campus festivities, with JNUSU vowing escalated protests, including a hunger strike if fines aren't revoked and evictions halted. Faculty allies, through the JNU Teachers' Association, have urged dialogue, highlighting that unresolved housing woes affect 15% of the 8,000-strong student body, many reliant on scholarships averaging Rs 12,000 monthly. Social media amplified the outrage, with #JusticeForJNUSU trending on X, garnering over 50,000 posts decrying "fascist tactics" in academia. The Ministry of Education has yet to intervene, but past patterns suggest potential UGC guidelines on hostel policies. This standoff not only tests JNU's progressive ethos but also signals deepening divides in India's higher education landscape, where student voices clash against bureaucratic rigidity, urging reforms for inclusive access amid economic pressures.
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