JNU advises students to avoid Jantar Mantar protest

A leading Indian university has advised its students and academic community to avoid a major protest site in New Delhi, citing safety concerns and Supreme Court directives. On July 24, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) issued an advisory urging all members of its "epistemic community," including students, faculty, and staff, to refrain from participating in or visiting gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar. The university warned that violations could lead to legal consequences and disciplinary action under its code of conduct.

The advisory specifically references the ongoing protest led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been staged at Jantar Mantar since June 20. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities, including claims of a paper leak in the NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance examination. JNU's notice stated the guidance was issued in accordance with directions from the Supreme Court of India on public demonstrations and asked individuals to prioritize personal safety and exercise responsibility on social media.

JNU's move follows a similar advisory issued by the University of Delhi. That...