JNU's response to Operation Kagar wall-writing incident: Role of student organizations in navigating political, legal challenges

By Umair Ahmad* 
On February 4, 2025, a group of students were detained at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for writing on university walls about the ongoing conflict in Bastar, known as Operation Kagar. Reports indicate that over 300 lives have been lost since January 1, 2024, as part of this operation. While the government asserts that the operation is aimed at combating the presence of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, various human rights activists, journalists, and civil society organizations have raised concerns about the nature of these operations. Allegations suggest that paramilitary forces, including CRPF, DRG, Bastar Fighters, ITBP, and BSF, have been involved in the killing of unarmed civilians under the pretext of targeting members of the Maoist People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA).

A report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Committee highlights statistical findings related to the situation. The detainment of JNU students for expressing their views through wall-writing has drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding the reported treatment of the detainees. Reports state that four students were not only detained but also allegedly assaulted while in custody at the Vasant Kunj police station. According to their statements, plainclothes officers, introduced as members of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), interrogated and allegedly physically assaulted them while pressuring them to admit ties to banned organizations. Images of their injuries were later shared on the Instagram page of their student organization, Bhagat Singh Chatra Ekta Manch (bsCEM).
Wall-writing and political slogans have historically been a significant aspect of JNU’s student activism, with various student organizations contributing to the university’s visual and intellectual culture. Given this tradition, the response—or lack thereof—from JNU’s prominent left-leaning student organizations has been noted. While groups such as Collective and Disha have issued statements, broader student mobilization in response to the detentions has been limited. This has led to discussions regarding the evolving nature of student activism at JNU and its role in addressing state actions.
The incident also raises questions about the differential treatment of student activism within academic spaces. Comparisons have been drawn with the presence of right-wing student organizations such as Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), whose public displays of slogans and artwork have not faced similar scrutiny or legal action. This discrepancy has led to discussions about the state’s approach to different political expressions within university campuses.
Historically, student and intellectual communities at JNU have played a role in responding to government policies and operations. Past movements within the university have included opposition to Operation Green Hunt, a precursor to current operations in resource-rich regions. The response to the current situation may provide insight into the evolving priorities and strategies of left-leaning student groups in JNU and the broader landscape of student activism in India.
The incident invites further analysis of the role of student organizations in navigating political and legal challenges, particularly in contexts of heightened state intervention. It remains to be seen how the broader academic and activist communities will engage with this development in the coming period.
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*Philosophy Scholar and Archivist