Shocking Caste Slurs Deface JNU Library Table: BAPSA Files FIR, Leads Protest March Against Discrimination

New Delhi – A wave of condemnation has swept through Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) following the discovery of deeply offensive casteist and misogynist slurs scribbled on a reading table in the General Reading Hall of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Central Library.

The incident, which came to light on August 18, has been labeled a blatant attack on marginalized communities, transforming a space dedicated to learning and equality into one marred by hatred and discrimination. The slurs, including derogatory terms targeting the Dalit community such as "Chamar C#$d" and "Chamar ki Maa ki *#$t," reflect a persistent Brahmanical mindset that continues to plague educational institutions, according to student activists.

The Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students' Association (BAPSA), a prominent student organization advocating for Bahujan rights, swiftly responded by filing a formal police complaint at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station on the same day. In their letter addressed to the Station House Officer, BAPSA demanded the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the unidentified perpetrators under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the Indian Penal Code.

They emphasized the need for immediate action to foster harmony and safety on campus, while also calling for the preservation and review of CCTV footage from the library to aid the investigation. BAPSA President Avichal Warke, who led the complaint, highlighted that such acts not only offend but also create a hostile environment for students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other marginalized groups. He said, "This is not an isolated incident but a larger attack on Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs& religious minorities by the larger BJP-RSS regime. These types of incidents show the true nature of the Brahminical mindset who wrote "Dalit Bharat Choro" "Chamar Bharat Choro" on the walls of Kaveri Hostel. BAPSA will continue to fight these Casteist goons and raise the voice of marginalised students in campus and outside campus."

In addition to the police complaint, BAPSA submitted a memorandum to the Acting Librarian of JNU, urging strict administrative measures against those responsible. The group did not stop at formal appeals; they organized a protest rally at the Central Library, drawing support from Bahujan and progressive student communities. Visuals from the demonstration showed participants gathering in solidarity, chanting slogans against caste hatred, and vowing that such bigotry would not be tolerated in a university named after icons of social justice like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. BAPSA activists, including Rupak Kumar and Kranthi, condemned the slurs as part of a larger pattern of attacks on Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, and religious minorities, linking it to broader societal influences.

The protest received backing from other student bodies, amplifying the call for justice. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) JNU Unit joined the demonstration, denouncing the "blatant casteism" in the library's reading room and urging the administration to take decisive action. Similarly, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), reportedly led by ABVP in recent updates, submitted its own complaint to the chief librarian, demanding accountability for the "casteist and misogynistic" slurs. JNUSU Joint Secretary Vaibhav Meena issued a statement emphasizing that the library, a symbol of knowledge, should not be tainted by divisive prejudices, and called for unity among students to reject casteism in all forms.

Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), buzzed with outrage as users shared images of the defaced table and condemned the act. Posts highlighted the irony of such slurs appearing in a library honoring Dr. Ambedkar, with many pointing out societal apathy toward Dalit issues compared to other causes. BAPSA's official handle shared updates from the protest, including videos and photos, reinforcing their message: "We will not be silenced."