JNU Takes Strict Action: Five PhD Students Rusticated for Vandalizing Facial Recognition Gates
In a significant disciplinary move, Jawaharlal Nehru University has rusticated five PhD students, including four elected office-bearers of the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU), following a proctorial inquiry that found them guilty of vandalizing Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) access gates at the Dr B R Ambedkar Central Library. The incident occurred on November 21, 2025, and has resulted in strict penalties for the involved scholars.
Details of the Disciplinary Action
The rusticated students have been identified as Kizhakoot Gopika Babu, Aditi Mishra, Sunil Yadav, Danish Ali, and Nitish Kumar. According to suspension letters accessed by PTI, each student has been rusticated for two semesters and declared “out of bounds” from the entire campus with immediate effect. Additionally, each has been fined ₹20,000, marking one of the strongest disciplinary actions taken by the university in recent years.
When contacted by PTI, the JNU administration confirmed that suspension letters had been issued to the students but declined to comment on the specific contents of the orders, maintaining institutional protocol while acknowledging the enforcement of disciplinary measures.
Proctorial Inquiry Findings and Vandalism Details
The disciplinary action follows a thorough proctorial inquiry that examined multiple sources of evidence, including:
- CCTV footage from the library premises
- Witness accounts from students and staff
- Statements from security personnel present during the incident
According to the inquiry letters cited by PTI, the group “forcibly pulled out the cameras and camera stands installed on the machines,” despite repeated pleas from security personnel to stop their actions. The FRT system, which was installed at an estimated cost of ₹20 lakh, was rendered completely unusable during the vandalism, as noted in the suspension letter.
The inquiry also documented injuries to university staff members. Two female security guards sustained injuries that led to blood loss while attempting to intervene and stop the vandalism, highlighting the physical consequences of the incident beyond property damage.
Specific Roles Assigned to JNUSU Office-Bearers
The inquiry report assigned specific roles to the students involved, particularly noting the leadership positions held within the student union. The findings concluded that:
- JNUSU president Aditi Mishra and vice-president Gopika Babu led the vandalism activities
- Joint secretary Danish Ali and Nitish Kumar were responsible for dismantling panels inside the library premises
In a particularly pointed observation, the notice served to Gopika Babu stated that she “stood on the dismantled panels and delivered a provocative speech justifying the act of vandalism” and also “sloganeered in the library premises, disrupting the smooth functioning.” The administration maintained that these actions went beyond legitimate protest and constituted direct interference with academic operations at one of the university’s central facilities.
Rustication Period and Additional Penalties
Citing provisions under the University’s Statute covering acts of violence, damage to property, and disruption of academic functioning, JNU ordered rustication for both the Winter and Monsoon semesters of 2026. The students have been instructed to deposit the ₹20,000 fine within ten days and submit proof of payment to the Chief Proctor’s Office.
The notices further warned that any individual found providing shelter to the rusticated students in campus hostels would invite disciplinary action, extending the consequences beyond the directly involved individuals. By declaring the five scholars “out of bounds,” the university has effectively barred them from entering any part of the campus during the rustication period, creating a comprehensive exclusion from university life.
Broader Context: Campus Tensions Over Administrative Reforms
This episode comes at a time when JNU has been grappling with repeated confrontations over administrative reforms and campus infrastructure changes, including the introduction of technology-driven access systems like FRT. While student groups have consistently criticized FRT installations as intrusive and potentially violating privacy rights, the administration has maintained that such measures are essential for strengthening security and regulating entry into key academic spaces.
The latest action underscores a sharper institutional line against vandalism and disruption of academic life, particularly when it involves significant damage to public property and physical harm to staff members. The rustication of five PhD scholars, four of whom are elected representatives of the students’ union, sends a clear message that protests crossing into violence and property destruction will invite strict consequences.
This disciplinary move represents a notable escalation in the university’s approach to campus governance, balancing the need for security infrastructure with the traditional culture of student activism that has characterized JNU for decades. The administration’s firm stance suggests a new phase in managing campus conflicts, where technological implementations and disciplinary boundaries are being redefined in response to evolving challenges in higher education administration.
