JNU graffiti row deepens as new slogans appear, ABVP and Left groups face off

Tension has risen at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after fresh slogans turned up on campus walls following messages backing former research scholar Umar Khalid. Reports also point to a confrontation between the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Left-wing student groups.

The latest writing includes the phrase "Never Don't Free," placed next to an earlier "Free Umar Khalid" message. Slogans such as "Akhand Bharat" and "Stop Love Jihad" have also reportedly appeared on campus.

The university is looking into the matter, and no one has yet been identified as responsible.

How it began

The row started on October 24, when "Free Umar Khalid" and "Long Live Naxalbari" were found on the walls of the School of Social Sciences.

The ABVP's JNU unit objected, saying the graffiti was an attempt to disrupt academic life. It asked the administration to identify those behind it and act against them. The ABVP also alleged that objectionable remarks had been written next to a portrait of Veer Savarkar. These are the ABVP's claims, and the university's inquiry is still on.

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New slogans, rising tension

More messages followed. "Never Don't Free" was written alongside the Khalid slogan, and reports mention "Akhand Bharat," "Stop Love Jihad" and "All Harassers Will Be Taken Down." Political images and slogans were also spotted on walls and doors of campus buildings.

The back-and-forth has sharpened the divide between groups with opposing politics, and a confrontation between the ABVP and Left organisations has been reported. The ABVP wants action against those responsible. Its position is that political expression should not involve defacing university property or making objectionable remarks about public figures.

Who wrote the slogans has not been confirmed.

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What the administration says

JNU officials have taken note of the graffiti and are examining it. They have indicated that attempts to disturb peace on campus will not be tolerated. The inquiry is expected to look at how the writings came about and who was behind them. No one has been named so far.