JNU Bans 5 PhD Students, Including JNUSU President, Fines Them ₹20,000 for Vandalism

• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has rusticated 5 PhD students, including JNUSU President Aditi Mishra and Vice President Kizhakkoot Gopika Babu, for two semesters.
• The students were found guilty of vandalizing the Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) machine at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Central Library entrance on November 21, 2025.
• The vandalism involved damaging cameras, panels, and wires, leading to injuries to two female security guards and an estimated loss of ₹20 lakh.
• Each rusticated student has been fined ₹20,000 and banned from entering the entire JNU campus with immediate effect.
• The JNU administration cited property damage, disruption of academic functioning, and violation of university statutes as reasons for the disciplinary action, while students allege it's a move to suppress dissent against the FRT system.

Why It Matters: JNU took strict action against 5 PhD students for vandalizing FRT machines, imposing rustication and fines.