Protest buzz grows at JNU; students say travel curbs point to success
Students at Jawaharlal Nehru University are organizing to attend a protest despite government-imposed travel restrictions and police presence. Activists argue that these obstacles are increasing the visibility and momentum of their movement.
Why it matters
The student mobilization demonstrates the role of campus activism in broader political discourse and the impact of state restrictions on protest participation.
With the October 10 protest looming, talk of the demonstration has been spreading across Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where students are discussing how to reach the protest site amid restrictions on public transport. Some students said the curbs suggested that their protest was already gaining momentum.
Aditi, JNUSU president, who is currently on a hunger strike over various campus issues, said around 3,000 students had joined a protest from the campus on July 20, and they expected a similar turnout this time.
Danish Ali, JNUSU joint secretary, said, “Earlier, when we used to protest, it used to be just us. But now, there are hundreds of others. Students have been feeling motivated, at least first-year students.” Danish added that while JNU had earlier been villainised for its activism, the recent wave of protests had prompted people to rethink their perceptions.
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