Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has rusticated PhD scholar Manikant Patel for one semester and barred him from campus effective immediately, imposing a Rs 15,000 fine for his role in a disruptive August 22 protest against the central library's new facial recognition access system, as per an October 28 order from Chief Proctor Satish Chandra.

Patel, from the Centre for the Study of Regional Development, was accused of "manhandling security guards and library staff", "kicking the main glass door until it broke", and displaying "rude, aggressive, and disrespectful" behaviour toward the acting librarian, which the university deemed a violation of Statute 32(5) prohibiting violence, intimidation, and property damage. The action follows an indefinite sit-in by students demanding better infrastructure, accessibility, and restoration of academic database subscriptions, highlighting ongoing tensions between JNU's activist student body and administration over surveillance technologies amid privacy concerns.

In parallel, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) faces collective penalties, with president Manisha, vice-president Munteha, and general secretary fined Rs 5,000 each for breaching the same statute during the demonstration. Vice-president Munteha told media, "Three of us are fined, and there may be others as well because the administration watched the protest video and identified people. We may appeal against this fine, but it will be rejected as always," reflecting a pattern of perceived administrative overreach in disciplining dissent. The protest, which escalated into chaos at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Central Library, prompted the university to form a review committee in September, maintaining the status quo on the biometric gates pending stakeholder consultations.

Also Read: Aftermath of Cyclone Montha: Silence and Suffering Grips Flooded Warangal Neighbourhoods

JNU's history of student-led agitations, from the 2016 sedition row to recent fee hikes and hostel reforms, underscores the campus as a flashpoint for broader debates on academic freedom versus institutional order. The facial recognition rollout, aimed at streamlining access but criticised for potential data misuse and exclusion of marginalised groups, echoes similar controversies at institutions like IIT Madras and Delhi University, where biometric tools have faced legal challenges under privacy laws. Students argue the system exacerbates inequalities, particularly for those from underprivileged backgrounds reliant on library resources for research.

As Delhi University separately announced its DUSU executive committee election schedule—nominations until November 6, polling on November 14—the JNU episode reignited scrutiny on how universities balance protest rights with discipline, potentially setting precedents for campus governance ahead of winter session agitations. With appeals likely, the decisions could fuel further mobilisation, testing JNU's commitment to dialogue in an era of heightened surveillance.

Also Read: Pune Man Duped of Rs 11 Lakh in Bizarre ‘Get Me Pregnant Job’ Online Scam