Jawaharlal Nehru University, better known as JNU, is a public central university based in New Delhi. It came into existence in 1969 and was named after Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister. Over the years, the university has become widely recognised for its strong academic culture, particularly in the areas of liberal arts, social sciences, international studies, and applied research.
The idea of setting up JNU took shape much before it formally opened its doors. The bill to establish the university was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on September 1, 1965, by the then Education Minister M. C. Chagla. After several discussions, it was passed by the Lok Sabha on November 16, 1966. The Jawaharlal Nehru University Act finally came into force on April 22, 1969. G. Parthasarathy was appointed as the first vice-chancellor, while Prof. Moonis Raza played a central role in building the institution as its founder chairman and rector. A major development followed in June 1970, when the Indian School of International Studies was merged with JNU, giving a significant boost to its academic standing.
Like other central universities, JNU follows a defined administrative structure. The President of India acts as the Visitor of the university. The Chancellor serves as the ceremonial head, while the Vice-Chancellor is responsible for day-to-day administration and academic leadership. The University Court functions as the highest authority and reviews the work of other bodies such as the Executive Council and the Academic Council. While the Executive Council handles administrative and policy matters, the Academic Council oversees academic matters, including teaching standards and examinations. The Finance Committee handles financial planning and budget-related recommendations.
JNU’s academic performance has been been reflected in various rankings over the years. In the QS World University Rankings 2022, it was placed in the 561–570 band globally. Under the National Institutional Ranking Framework, the university ranked third among Indian universities in 2016 and moved to second place in 2017. In the same year, it received the Best University Award from the President of India. In the NIRF 2020 rankings, JNU was ranked eighth overall and second among universities. It has also consistently featured among the top Indian universities in global rankings, and in 2021, The Week–Hansa Research survey ranked it as the best university in India.
The Delhi High Court has stayed the Jawaharlal Nehru University order terminating professor and Congress MP Bimol Akoijam over sexual harassment allegations. The court has also issued a notice to JNU based on a petition filed by Akoijam challenging his dismissal. The professor was terminated by the university following accusations of sexual harassment and abuse made by JNU students, prompting him to move the Delhi High Court. Granting interim relief to Akoijam, the court has scheduled the next hearing in the case for January 2027.
The Jamia Millia Islamia administration has sealed alternative campus gates and deployed heavy security forces, including Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel, following a protest call given by Left student organisations. Authorities cited student security and the threat of trespassing for closing university entries. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita has been imposed outside the campus, strictly prohibiting public gatherings, demonstrations, sloganeering, and speeches. The campus lawn, which earlier served as the dharna site for students demanding the restoration of student union elections, was vacated after administrative warnings. Classes have also been shifted to an online mode. While the university administration offered to provide a draft constitution for student body elections within 15 days, an impasse persists as protesting students demand a definitive timeline and date.
Controversial graffiti and posters at Jamia Millia Islamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University have sparked a political confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party and opposition leaders. Slogans referencing Kashmir, Sharjeel Imam, and Umar Khalid appeared amid student union election agitations, prompting the BJP to accuse visiting Congress and Samajwadi Party MPs of supporting divisive elements. Opposition leaders countered that the government is deflecting attention from student grievances and national security challenges, as debates also touched upon remarks by National Conference President Farooq Abdullah. Concurrently, the Election Commission of India submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court rejecting allegations of unilateral decisions by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding the Special Intensive Revision. The Commission stated that decisions were taken unanimously with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, denying unauthorized modifications to Form 6. Internationally, political focus turned to Israel's parliamentary elections, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot amid regional developments.
The Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report against three Members of Parliament, including Congress Lok Sabha MP Imran Masood, for alleged trespassing into Jamia Millia Islamia following a complaint lodged by the university administration. The administration accused the leaders of forcefully entering campus premises to join student protests, while Masood dismissed the allegations and questioned university officials over security lapses. The controversy coincides with the calling off of a 14-day student agitation after the Jamia administration accepted demands regarding student body elections and revoking student rustications. Meanwhile, campus tensions expanded after controversial slogans appeared on the walls of Jamia Millia Islamia, followed by counter-graffiti at Jawaharlal Nehru University featuring ideological messages. The student disputes have escalated into a fierce political debate between the opposition and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over campus politics, academic unrest, and student union demands.
In an exclusive phone interview, Congress MP Imran Masood strongly refuted accusations regarding his participation in the student protest at Jamia Millia Islamia and addressed the controversy surrounding divisive campus graffiti. Blaming the administration and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Masood alleged that the university's registrar is behind the divisive slogans written on walls to derail the students' demonstration. When asked about objectionable slogans and defacement reported in Jamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University, Masood stated, 'RSS कुछ भी करा सकती है,' maintaining that he opposed such slogans on the spot and that students do not support them. He insisted his visit to the university was solely to check on the well-being of agitating students and advise them against harming themselves. Responding to allegations concerning posters of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alongside Bimal Roy, Masood asserted that police investigations are underway to uncover the truth, dismissing charges of student polarization.
A political face-off has erupted at Jawaharlal Nehru University as campus walls became a battleground for left and right-wing student groups. The controversy began after left-wing outfits, including AISA, painted slogans such as 'Free Umar Khalid' on university buildings. In response, right-wing students linked to the ABVP wrote counter-slogans, including 'Never free Umar Khalid,' 'Stop Love Jihad,' and 'Akhand Bharat.' Graffiti also featured images of Priyanka Gandhi and Congress MP Bimol Akoijam alongside anti-harassment slogans. This development closely follows similar graffiti and student protests witnessed at Jamia Millia Islamia in the national capital.
A major political controversy has erupted following the appearance of controversial graffiti across university campuses in the national capital. At Jawaharlal Nehru University, slogans demanding the release of Umar Khalid and hailing Naxalbari surfaced on walls, alongside alleged objectionable text near a portrait of Veer Savarkar. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad accused left-wing student outfits of defacing campus property and disrupting the academic environment, demanding strict action. The JNU administration confirmed an internal inquiry and stated that attempts to disturb campus peace would not be tolerated. This row follows similar tensions at Jamia Millia Islamia, where slogans supporting Sharjeel Imam and demanding 'Free Kashmir' appeared amid protests calling for the reinstatement of student union elections. While the Jamia administration accused political leaders of trespassing and inciting unrest, the opposition denied raising anti-national slogans, accusing the ruling party of deliberate provocation.
A controversy has erupted at Jawaharlal Nehru University following allegations by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad regarding political graffiti on campus walls. The student organisation raised objections to slogans including 'Free Umar Khalid' and 'Long Live Naxalbari'. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad claimed left-wing outfits, particularly the All India Students' Association, defaced university walls and wrote objectionable text alongside a portrait of Veer Savarkar, disrupting the campus academic environment. The development follows a similar incident reported at Jamia Millia Islamia involving political graffiti.
Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson and Member of Parliament Sudhanshu Trivedi criticised the opposition's political agitations, drawing a sharp distinction between democratic regime transitions and unlawful disruptions. Addressing claims surrounding regime change plots, Trivedi remarked, "When you want to overthrow a government by a non-democratic process, this is a regime change." He highlighted historical warnings by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar regarding agitations aimed at toppling elected governments. Questioning the credibility of opposition protests and their claims on electronic voting machines and electoral rolls, Trivedi asserted that "the basic objective of Congress party is to create confusion and at, at any point of time, the fact of the matter is they themselves are confused." He further dismissed the scale of demonstrations led by student outfits and opposition parties at Connaught Place, pointing out low public turnout and accusing opposition groups of shifting focus rapidly from student concerns to electoral politics without public backing.
Social activist Yogita Bhayana and Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC engage in a heated debate over the ongoing investigation into the four-year-old Ankita Bhandari murder case. Bhayana, who accompanied Bhandari's parents to protest at India Gate, demanded swift justice and accountability regarding an alleged VIP named in the case. She insisted, 'Give him a clean chit through the CBI first,' before conferring official posts like governor. Shaina NC countered by questioning the political motivations and timing of leaders like Rahul Gandhi joining the agitation, highlighting alleged political theatrics and pointing to sexual harassment allegations at JNU. While both guests concurred that crimes against women must transcend partisan lines without selective outrage, Bhayana urged Parliament to dedicate a special annual session specifically focusing on women's safety.
Congress Member of Parliament and former Union Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury addressed allegations against Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam following an internal inquiry committee report at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Defending the due process, Chowdhury stated, "If he's guilty, hang him. No one's going to protect him." She denied claims of selective outrage by the party, arguing that the outrage remains uniform and that allegations must undergo the established legal and judicial framework before action is taken. Furthermore, she raised concerns over the handling of the Ankita Bhandari case, demanding justice for women and questioning the actions of law enforcement authorities regarding the treatment of protesting families.
Delhi Police questioned a Congress Member of Parliament from Manipur for one and a half hours in connection with a sexual harassment case before releasing him. The investigation follows a First Information Report registered on a complaint filed by Jawaharlal Nehru University officials after eleven students accused the lawmaker of sexual abuse. The parliamentarian denied the allegations, maintaining innocence, claiming the inquiry is a political witch hunt, and challenging the university's account of the inquiry process. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party women parliamentarians approached the Lok Sabha Speaker, and the party's women's wing submitted a plea to the National Commission for Women seeking action against the leader, while supporters in the home state termed the proceedings politically motivated.
A Congress Member of Parliament, facing allegations of sexual harassment and dismissal from Jawaharlal Nehru University, has responded via email to a Delhi Police summons, agreeing to join the probe and cooperate. While the parliamentarian dismissed the accusations filed by 11 students as baseless and questioned the fairness of the internal university inquiry, the Bharatiya Janata Party has escalated protests. BJP women MPs and the Mahila Morcha have met the Lok Sabha Speaker and approached the National Commission for Women demanding his immediate suspension from Parliament.
Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has responded to a Delhi Police notice via email, stating that he will join the investigation into sexual harassment allegations on 15 or 16 October. The police notice was served at his residence and delivered electronically after an FIR was registered following his dismissal from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Multiple female students had lodged complaints alleging that the former professor invited them to his campus quarters and attempted sexual harassment, alongside making inappropriate classroom remarks. Denying the allegations as lies, the lawmaker has departed from Imphal to Delhi to appear before investigating officers for questioning.
A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party women members of Parliament, led by Daggubati Purandeswari, approached the Lok Sabha Speaker demanding the termination of Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam's parliamentary membership. The move follows his dismissal from Jawaharlal Nehru University after an internal inquiry committee found him guilty of sexual harassment based on complaints filed by eleven female students. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has pasted a notice at his residence summoning him to join the investigation. The BJP Mahila Morcha, headed by Roop Kumari Chaudhary, also submitted a memorandum to National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, seeking strict action. BJP leaders questioned the silence of Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, accusing them of hypocrisy on women's safety. Akoijam has categorically denied all allegations, describing the accusations as baseless and terming the entire inquiry a witch hunt.
A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party women Members of Parliament, led by D. Purandeswari, is scheduled to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to demand the expulsion of Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. The move follows his suspension and dismissal as a professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University after an internal inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct levelled by multiple students. The BJP Mahila Morcha has staged protests demanding his resignation, while Delhi Police has initiated an inquiry after issuing a notice. Congress leadership faces questions from the ruling party over its silence on the issue.
Women parliamentarians from the Bharatiya Janata Party are seeking a meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker to demand the termination of membership of a Congress Member of Parliament facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Jawaharlal Nehru University has suspended the former professor following complaints lodged by female students. The Delhi Police have issued summons and pasted a notice outside the parliamentarian's residence directing him to join the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, a delegation from the party's women wing met the chairperson of the National Commission for Women, submitting a memorandum demanding referral of the matter to the parliamentary ethics panel, suspension pending inquiry, dignity and protection for complainants, and swift legal proceedings. The commission affirmed that it will take cognizance and decide on an appropriate course of action within its mandate. The parliamentarian has denied all allegations, questioned the fairness of the university internal inquiry, and offered to resign if claims are substantiated in a court of law.
TVK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay skipped the INDIA bloc’s rally against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Chennai, even as Congress MP Praveen Chakravarty discussed the planned protest alongside the party’s regional ally.
The Delhi Police has issued a notice to former Jawaharlal Nehru University professor and Congress Member of Parliament Bimol Akoijam, directing him to join an ongoing probe. Issued by the Vasant Kunj North Police Station under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the summons requires him to present his side before investigating officials. The police action follows the registration of a First Information Report based on complaints alleging sexual harassment, making sexually offensive remarks, and inappropriate conduct. Political friction has intensified surrounding the case, with Bharatiya Janata Party women parliamentarians having met President Droupadi Murmu to seek action against the Congress MP. Legal correspondent Arvind Ojha highlighted that following the formal notice, the accused must appear in person before the police to record his statement and address the allegations directly.
A major political controversy has erupted following Jawaharlal Nehru University's decision to dismiss a professor and Congress Member of Parliament over allegations of sexual harassment and sex-for-marks. While an internal inquiry panel substantiated complaints involving female students, the MP has denied the charges, calling the proceedings a political witch-hunt and harassment. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor backed him, terming the university's move unjust. Meanwhile, a delegation of 15 BJP women Members of Parliament, led by D. Purandeswari, submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu demanding a referral to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, suspension pending inquiry, protection for the complainants, and swift legal action while questioning the silence of Congress leadership.
