The JNU Students' Discipline and Conduct Rule, approved by the university's highest decision-making body on November 24, outlined?penalties ranging from fines to expulsion for a range of offences.

According to the Chief Proctor Office manual, students engaging in violence, holding dharnas, and hunger strikes may face fines of up to Rs 20,000. Additionally, raising anti-national slogans or inciting intolerance towards religion, caste, or community can result in fines of up to Rs 10,000.

According to?ANI, a document revealed that the university felt the need to review existing disciplinary rules and regulations, as there were no substantially approved guidelines on proper conduct and discipline for students.

It reportedly read, "It was strongly felt to review the existing disciplinary rules and regulations of the office of the Chief Proctor. There are no substantially approved rules and regulations on proper conduct and discipline of students by the statutory body (i.e Executive Council) of JNU in vogue."

The document further outlined a provision for expelling repeat offenders, stating that a student would be expelled if they received five or more punishments during their entire course of study.

Punishments have been specified for 28 types of misconduct, including blockage, gambling, unauthorized occupation of hostel rooms, use of abusive language, and forgery.

For protests such as hunger strikes, dharnas, and blockades disrupting the academic or administrative complexes, fines of up to Rs 20,000 may be imposed. Holding events without prior permission may result in fines of up to Rs 6,000, and students might be assigned JNU Community Service.

Furthermore, fines of up to Rs 10,000 can be levied for activities like printing, circulating, or pasting posters/pamphlets with derogatory remarks related to religion, caste, or nationality, which incite intolerance and disrupt the peaceful campus atmosphere.

How did the students respond?

The JNU Students Union has strongly criticized the new manual, asserting that it aims to stifle the university's vibrant culture, known for fostering open discussions, dissent, and intellectual exploration.?

The union has published a?statement that said, "Such excessive regulations are intended to discourage open discussions, dissent, and intellectual exploration, which are fundamental to the spirit of our university. According to the new manual, protests before any academic building can lead to rustication, eviction from the hostel and a fine of Rs 20,000. Moreover, a student who commits any act that the JNU Admin considers to be of moral turpitude can be fined up to Rs 10,000."