Tapti hostel residents and student groups staged a protest on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus on April 22, 2026 , over the alleged removal of a portrait of BR Ambedkar from the hostel mess. The protest claimed the portrait was removed twice and is now locked in the warden's office.
What happened in the JNU protest Ambedkar portrait removal
The Tapti hostel committee said the portrait was installed on Ambedkar Jayanti as a “symbol of equality, dignity, and resistance.” The committee accused the warden of removing the portrait twice and keeping it in the warden’s office, prompting the on-campus protest.
Students from several leftist groups joined the demonstration. The JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) issued a statement supporting the hostel committee and backed the demand for immediate reinstatement of the portrait in the mess.
Demands and responses in the JNU protest Ambedkar portrait removal
The hostel committee demanded the immediate return and reinstallation of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s portrait in the Tapti hostel mess. Protesters described the portrait as a marker against caste oppression and a symbol of dignity.
There was no immediate response from the university administration when the protest was reported. The warden named in the allegation has not issued a public statement, and the timeline for the two removals was not specified in reports.
Quick facts
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Article published | April 22, 2026 |
| Portrait installation mentioned | Ambedkar Jayanti (date not specified) |
| Alleged removals | Twice |
The coverage available cites a brief report filed by a national news agency on April 22, 2026 . Reports did not provide numbers for how many students protested, photographic evidence, or details on any disciplinary steps.
If you are a JNU student or Tapti resident, watch notices from the university or the hostel committee for official updates. Student bodies including JNUSU have asked the administration to act on the demand but the administration’s reply is still pending.
What the hostel committee said
The Tapti hostel committee said the portrait was placed on Ambedkar Jayanti to signify equality and resistance to caste oppression. The committee called for the portrait’s immediate reinstallation and condemned its removal.