The new rule in JNU suppresses the constitutional right to protest and it will impose a fine of Rs 20,000 if students participate in a Hunger strike, Dharna or any other type of protest within 100 meters of any academic and administrative campus. The rule came into effect on November 24, 2023 after the JNU Executive Council approved the Chief Proctor's Office Manual containing "Discipline and Conduct rules”

The Right to protest is an essential element of the right to participate in any democratic dispensation, and restrictions imposed on this right must be closely scrutinized with respect to their necessity and reasonableness and The Right to protest is recognized under several international instruments, including:

• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Article 8),
• Article 5 (a) of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders 1998

HRDA urgently appeal to NHRC to exercise Section 12 (a) of the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019, and take suo moto cognizance of this matter and initiate an independent inquiry through NHRC’s investigation wing.