Security Guards’ Collective Resistance Forces Rollback of Extortion Attempt in JNU!
We congratulate the security guards of the campus, contractual workers, the student community, and all those who participated in the struggle against corruption and exploitation
AE Securitas was awarded the contract to provide security personnel on campus. Over the years, sustained struggles led by workers and students. have established the norm, that existing contractual workers should be retained in their positions even when a new contractor takes over. However, during the re-registration process initiated by the new company, security guards were asked through unofficial channels to pay 40,000 in order to retain their jobs.
On 23 May 2026, a formal communication was submitted to the admin demading immediate intervention. But the JNU Admin opted to remain silent. Over the next two days, activists from AISA, AICCTU, and several democratic student organisations visited briefing points from the early hours of the morning to collect signatures from affected guards. These signatures were submitted to the administration as evidence of the extortion.
Administration’s Conduct Raises Serious Questions
On 30 May 2026, security guards, students, AICCTU activists assembled outside the Ad Bloc, demanding that the university ensure registration of all existing security personnel without any illegal payments.
Instead of addressing the concerns of workers, the administration circulated a letter from the company denying all the claims of extortion. This incident, once again, exposes how the JNU admin functions hand in glove with corrupt contractor rackets. Ever since Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar took charge as VC, this unscrupulous practice has come into being. Under the tenure of the current VC, it has further flourished. There is multiple credible circumstantial evidence suggesting that the money extracted through extortion during the employment of contract workers and appointments to other posts reaches up to the highest office on this campus. We are yet to discern why the administration took upon itself the burden of lying to its own students and worker in order to shield a corrupt contractor.
However, when the AICCTU members firmly confronted the false claims made in the email circulated by the JNU administration, a company representative was found demanding 30,000 from guards without providing any official receipt. This development further corroborated the allegations. Representatives of AICCTU subsequently met company officials and categorically warned them to
stop this extortion. The situation escalated further on 31 May when university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, senior security authorities, and representatives of the new contractor, met workers at the Convention Centre. Security guards alleged that pressure continued to be exerted upon them regarding payments.
These developments exposed the nexus between private contractors and an administration unwilling to intervene against exploitative practices.
Extortion Exposed
The struggle gained further momentum when company representatives were caught red-handed collecting money from guards at Lado Sarai. The matter was brought to the attention of the Vasant Kunj Police Station.
Simultaneously, AICCTU filed a formal complaint before the Labour Department against both the contractor and the university administration. Following the complaint, the Labour Commission took cognisance of the issue and summoned all parties for discussions.
A Significant Victory for Workers and Students
The sustained resistance of the security guards, ultimately yielded results. Late on the night of 31st May, company representatives. were forced to inform the workers that no payment would be required from security guards for registration.
It was further conveyed that all existing guards would be retained, the registration process would be conducted within the university campus itself, and identity cards would be issued with a validity period of two years.
This marks a landmark victory against corruption, coercion, and contractual exploitation. It demonstrates that when workers and students stand together, attempts to undermine labour rights can be successfully challenged.
We salute the courage, determination, and collective spirit shown by the security guards throughout this struggle and extend revolutionary greetings to all those who contributed to this achievement.
Student-Worker Unity Long Live!
AICCTU-AISA
