New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), one of India’s leading educational institutions, has become the center of a controversy following the appearance of pro-RSS and Brahminical slogans targeting Dalits on the walls of Kaveri Hostel. The incident has ignited significant unrest among the student body and drawn sharp condemnation from student leaders and the university community.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the offensive slogans, which included phrases like “Chamar Bharat Chhodo,” “Dalit Bharat Chhodo,” “Brahmin-Bania Zindabad,” and “Hindu-RSS Zindabad,” were quickly removed from the walls. However, the impact of such messages continues to resonate deeply within the student community.
Kunal Kumar, General Secretary of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) at JNU, voiced his concerns, highlighting the broader implications of such expressions of hate. He emphasized the role of the current political climate under the BJP government in emboldening discriminatory ideologies. JNUSU President Dhananjay linked the presence of these slogans to the same forces that hold power nationally, vowing to continue the fight against such divisive elements to maintain JNU’s ethos of equality.
Residents and students of the university, including Chetan from Kaveri Hostel and Abul Kalam, a member of the hostel committee, expressed their distress and called for stringent actions against those responsible. Swati, a student from Sabarmati Hostel, pointed out that this was not an isolated incident, citing previous occurrences that have consistently marred the campus atmosphere.
The university administration has yet to respond effectively, with a committee formed to investigate such incidents reportedly making little progress in addressing the recurring issue. The persistence of casteist and communal sentiments at JNU poses ongoing challenges to social harmony and the university’s commitment to inclusivity.