Campus Confrontation: JNU Erupts Over UGC Row, VC’s Alleged Caste Remarks Spark Fresh Protests

Jawaharlal Nehru University has once again found itself at the center of controversy as protests intensify over the alleged casteist remarks by Vice-Chancellor Shantishree Pandit and demands for the implementation of UGC regulations. The campus atmosphere remains tense following detentions and arrests of several students. Late at night, protesting students burned effigies of the Vice-Chancellor and the Delhi Police at the university’s main gate, alleging that the gate had been locked for three days on the VC’s instructions. Students claim they were prevented from marching toward the Ministry of Education and were stopped from stepping outside the campus premises. According to student groups, nearly 52 students were detained, and FIRs were registered against 14 individuals during the protest. Although some students have reportedly secured bail from the court, demonstrators allege that police are deliberately delaying their release process. Heavy security deployment, including police and paramilitary forces, remains in place outside the campus. Students continue to demand the removal of the Vice-Chancellor and the immediate implementation of UGC regulations, while accusing authorities of suppressing dissent.