JNU rusticates five PhD scholars for vandalising facial recognition gates
New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration has rusticated five PhD scholars for two academic semesters due to their demonstrations against the installation of facial recognition technology gates at the Dr. B R Ambedkar Central Library. These students include all current JNUSU office bearers and the union's former president.
Proctorial orders issued on February 2 declared JNUSU president Aditi Mishra, vice-president Gopika Babu, general secretary Sunil Yadav, joint secretary Danish Ali, and former JNUSU president Nitish Kumar “out of bounds” from the campus with immediate effect, as reported by Maktoob Media. The order bars them from entering academic spaces, hostels, libraries and other university facilities. Each of the five students have also been fined ₹20,000, payable within 10 days. The administration has also warned other students against providing them shelter on campus which would result in disciplinary action.
The students were rusticated following a disagreement over the installation of facial recognition technology at the central library. Students had protested against the installation in August 2024 and said the move questions the students right to privacy and consultation. They questioned the ₹20 lakh spent on monitoring infrastructure, in contrast to the library's inadequate seats and damaged furniture.
After continous protests, the gates were removed and students were assured that any future decision would be taken by an independent committee with student representation. Without students' consultation, the facial recognition gates were reinstalled during the JNUSU election period in November 2025. The students questioned the move accusing the administration of breaking its earlier promises.
After failing to reach an agreement with the acting chief librarian, student leaders removed the gates on November 21, 2025, disassembling equipment while shouting slogans calling it a form of protest against an imposed and intrusive system. The administration called the act as vandalism and destruction of public property.
Apart from the five students who were rusticated, proctorial inquiries were initiated against others, and at least seven students were fined ₹19,000 each.
In a statement, the JNUSU termed the action a targeted crackdown on elected student representatives and said the rustication orders undermines campus democracy, arguing that disciplinary rules cannot be used to curb the collective voice of students.
Criticising the administration’s decision, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association called it an attack on democratic rights within the university. In a statement issued on February 3, the association said the punitive action against student leaders was part of a broader pattern of suppressing protest and dissent.
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Second PUC results: Life convict clears exam with distinction, DGP lauds effort
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Bengaluru: A life convict lodged in Ballari Central Prison has successfully cleared the second PUC examination.
Ashok Kumar S, who appeared for the examination under prison escort, secured 481 marks out of 600, registering 80.1 percent.
Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services), Alok Kumar (IPS), shared the development on his official ‘X’ handle, commending the inmate’s achievement.
In his post, he stated that it was heartening to see a life convict score over 80 percent in the examination, adding that the inmate had appeared from Ballari Central Prison under escort.
It’s heartening to see that one of our life convict prisoners Ashok has obtained 80.1% marks in PUC exam. He appeared under Prison escort from Ballari Central Prison for his exams.
— alok kumar (@alokkumar6994) April 9, 2026
Glad to see that Walls of the prison has not subdued his hopes for a better future. pic.twitter.com/Nzlcy076SR
He further noted that the achievement reflected that the “walls of the prison have not subdued his hopes for a better future.”
Alok Kumar in his post also shared the result sheet of Ashok.
The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) declared the second PUC results for 2026 on April 9.
A total of 6,32,200 students appeared for the examination across all streams, of whom 5,46,698 passed, recording an overall pass percentage of 86.48 per cent.
