Education

IIE DIGITAL: Days after IIT Roorkee and Delhi University issued advisories urging students and staff to stay away from the ongoing protests over the NEET paper leak controversy, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi has issued a similar directive. In an advisory released on Friday, the university appealed to students, faculty members and staff to prioritise their safety and act responsibly, while warning that violations could lead to legal and disciplinary action.

Referring to Supreme Court directions governing public demonstrations, JNU urged members of its academic community not to participate in or visit protest gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar. The university stressed the importance of following legal guidelines and maintaining responsible conduct amid the ongoing demonstrations.

The advisory also cautioned students, faculty and staff about their conduct on social media platforms. JNU said that any violation of applicable laws could result in legal consequences, apart from disciplinary action under the university’s code of conduct.

The university further called upon its students and employees to uphold the principles of academic responsibility and responsible citizenship. The advisory comes at a time when several prominent educational institutions have issued similar notices, asking members of their respective campuses to avoid protest sites and adhere to legal and institutional guidelines.

JNU’s latest directive follows advisories issued by IIT Roorkee and Delhi University, both of which had asked their students and staff to refrain from visiting or participating in the protests at Jantar Mantar.

Meanwhile, the advisories have also triggered political reactions. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised Delhi University over its warning to students, accusing the institution of attempting to curb their democratic rights. Sharing DU’s social media post on X, Gandhi wrote, “How dare you threaten students for exercising their democratic rights? Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes.”

The latest advisory places JNU among a growing list of higher educational institutions that have issued precautionary directions amid the ongoing protests, citing concerns over personal safety and the need to comply with court orders and institutional rules governing public demonstrations.