DU & JNU Ask Students to Stay Away From Jantar Mantar: Which Other Institutes Have Issued Similar Advisories?

The University of Delhi (DU) has advised its students and faculty to stay away from the ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar, warning that participation in “unlawful assemblies or demonstrations” could invite legal action and adversely affect their academic progress and future careers.

The advisory, issued on July 23, cited safety concerns, compliance with Supreme Court directives governing protests at Jantar Mantar, and the spread of misinformation online. On July 24, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) issued a similar advisory asking students, faculty and staff to avoid the protest site, while IIT Roorkee and IIT Madras had also earlier urged students to distance themselves from protest-related activities. The advisories come amid continuing demonstrations over alleged examination irregularities and broader concerns about India’s education system.

Dear students and faculty, your safety matters to us. Please note that any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which are strictly regulated as per the directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, may invite legal action. Such activities can…

— University of Delhi (@UnivofDelhi) July 23, 2026

Universities Cite Safety Concerns

In its advisory, DU said students’ and faculty members’ “safety matters” and warned that participation in unlawful demonstrations at Jantar Mantar “may invite legal action”.

The university added that such activities could pose serious risks to students’ personal safety while affecting their academic progress and professional opportunities, urging them to stay away from the protest site and be cautious of fake and misleading information circulating online.

JNU followed with a similar advisory, asking students, faculty and staff not to visit or participate in gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar and warning that participation or irresponsible social media activity could invite both legal and disciplinary action. Earlier this week, IIT Roorkee issued an advisory asking students and staff not to publicly support political movements or participate in political activities without prior permission, although the institute later clarified that it was a routine annual communication and not a new policy.

IIT Madras also advised students to remain focused on academics and distance themselves from protest-related activities, with reports stating that the institute asked a student body to remove a social media post supporting the demonstrations.

Advisory
All stakeholders of JNU’s epistemic community are advised to act responsibly and prioritize their personal safety. In accordance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s directions on public demonstrations, you are requested to refrain from participating in or visiting…

— Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) (@JNU_official_50) July 24, 2026

Growing Debate Over Student Participation

The advisories have been issued against the backdrop of sustained protests at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators have raised concerns over alleged examination irregularities and demanded greater accountability in the education system.

While the universities have maintained that their advisories are intended to safeguard students and ensure compliance with the law, the move has sparked criticism from sections of the political opposition, student groups and civil society, who argue that campuses should protect students’ democratic right to peaceful expression. The differing responses have reignited a wider debate on balancing institutional responsibility, student safety and the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

Educational institutions have a responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of their students, especially during periods of heightened public tension. At the same time, universities have long served as spaces where young people learn democratic values, critical thinking and responsible civic participation.

Protecting safety and respecting constitutional freedoms should not be viewed as competing goals but as complementary responsibilities that require dialogue, transparency and mutual trust. Encouraging peaceful engagement while ensuring students remain informed and safe can strengthen both democracy and academia. How do you think universities can balance campus safety with students’ right to participate peacefully in matters of public concern?

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