Intensive protests broke out on January 5, 2026, only a few hours after the refusal of ex-students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam to be put on bail in the larger conspiracy case in the 2020 Delhi riots by the Supreme Court. Approximately thirty-forty students who were of the left-wing went about Sabarmati Hostel and Guerrilla Dhaba screaming slogans that were not conservative in nature like Modi-Shah ki qabra khudegi, JNU ki dharti par against PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
SC Verdict Context
The SC bench put on bail five co-accused individuals, such as Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Shadab Ahmedbut formally occupied Khalid (38) and Imam occupied qualitatively different position due to their alleged central positions under UAPA. They had been imprisoned 5 or more years awaiting trial and accused of plotting riots to kill 53 (the majority of whom were Muslims). The extended detention was the only bail condition that was dismissed by the court.
JNUSU also celebrated the 2020 campus violence in the sixth anniversary, with a blend of bail campaign jumbled with anti-ABVP slogans. Videos showed SFI, DSF, AISA affiliates as the lead once again, to re-enact tukde-tukde arguments.
Political Firestorm
Delhi BJP Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa attacked: JNU is city Naxal nest – Shameless anti-national slogans. On the unidentified students, FIR was filed on the sedition clauses. ABVP desired rustication, JNUSU protested against in protection of right to dissident.
Kahnaiya Kumar (ex-JNUSU) of Congress wanted judiciary review, CPiM (ML) declared verdict as injustice to conscience prisoners. JNU administration warned to take decisive actions against hate speech citing cannot be labs of hate.
Legal and Campus Fallout
| Accused Status | Bail Result | Significant SC Observation |
| Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam | Denied | Role of central conspiracy. |
| 5 Other | granted | Fewer positions |
The demonstrations are similar to the JNU clashes in 2020; the police enhanced the security of the campuses. One of the UAPA bail denial machines is outrageous to the critics; one riot prevention is celebrated by proponents. The legacy of the protest at JNU continues Khalid/Imam appeal: Dissent or disruption?
