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Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has become the latest institution to advise students against joining protests. After similar advisories from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Delhi University, IIT Roorkee and IIT Madras, JNU has now urged “all stakeholders of JNU’s epistemic community” to stay away from gatherings at Jantar Mantar.

 

Unlike advisories aimed only at students, JNU’s notice was addressed to its “epistemic community”, a term that encompasses the wider academic community, including students, faculty, researchers, scholars, staff and other stakeholders, rather than students alone.

 

The advisory was issued under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, who has headed the university since 2022. It asked students, faculty and staff to “refrain from participating in or visiting gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar, New Delhi”, citing the Supreme Court’s directions on public demonstrations.

 

The advisory also warned users to “exercise responsibility on social media”, adding that violations could invite legal consequences as well as disciplinary action under the university’s code of conduct. The university further encouraged members of its community to uphold “academic responsibility and responsible citizenship”.

 

A rare advisory from a campus known for protests

 

The advisory has drawn attention because of JNU's long-standing reputation as one of India’s most prominent centres of student activism. For decades, the campus has witnessed demonstrations on issues ranging from education policy and campus governance to national politics, making protests a defining part of its public identity.

 

Against that backdrop, an advisory asking students to stay away from protest sites such as Jantar Mantar marks a notable moment.

 

The notice also comes amid a broader pattern across higher education institutions. In recent days, AIU urged students to focus on examinations rather than protests, while Delhi University, IIT Roorkee and IIT Madras have also issued advisories asking students and staff to exercise caution regarding protest participation and public conduct.