On August 24, 2024, members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) attempted to march to the Education Ministry to voice their demands for new hostels and increased scholarship amounts, following a 13-day hunger strike. However, their peaceful protest was thwarted by a significant police presence, which set up multiple barricades around the campus.

The JNUSU president emphasized that their struggle is about the education of students nationwide. Despite repeated inquiries about long-standing issues, such as merit-cum-means scholarships that have been unresolved for 12 years, the Vice Chancellor has cited a lack of funds as a barrier. In light of these challenges, students aimed to escalate their concerns directly to the Education Ministry.

The incident has garnered substantial media attention, with reports highlighting the implications of police intervention in what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration. The JNUSU maintains that their fight for students’ rights will persist until their grievances are addressed, asserting that the police's actions represent a violation of the right to protest and an infringement on freedom of speech.