Indian Express Profiles Vidheesha Kuntamalla, Citing 600-Case JNU Investigation
Updated
Updated · The Indian Express · May 16
Indian Express Profiles Vidheesha Kuntamalla, Citing 600-Case JNU Investigation
1 articles · Updated · The Indian Express · May 16
The Indian Express spotlighted senior correspondent Vidheesha Kuntamalla’s reporting, framing her work around higher education policy, academic freedom and international student immigration.
New Delhi-based Kuntamalla covers major institutions including DU, JNU, Jamia, the IITs and IIMs, using court records, internal documents and official data to link policy decisions to student and faculty experiences.
Her recent investigations included a November 2025 series on JNU’s more than 600 Delhi High Court cases since 2011 and reports on Rs 30-lakh fines that she said were chilling campus dissent.
The profile also highlighted her niche on the Indian student diaspora, including stories on H-1B holders, visa terminations, deportation risks and proposed US foreign-admissions caps affecting Indian students.
How are India's top graduates reshaping career plans as new US visa rules sideline entry-level talent?
With dissent suppressed on Indian and US campuses, what is the future for student-led political movements?
How will the new H-1B wage lottery and fees reshape the US tech industry's reliance on Indian talent?
From Protest to Punishment: The Rise of Litigation and Disciplinary Action at JNU Since 2016
Overview
In November 2023, JNU approved a revised Chief Proctor Office Manual that introduced strict rules for student discipline, including heavy fines, suspension, or expulsion for misconduct. This comprehensive and punitive manual marks a shift towards stricter enforcement of campus regulations. As a result, student life and activism at JNU are likely to be significantly affected, with the new framework expected to make students more cautious about engaging in protests or advocacy. These changes reflect a broader move towards tighter control over student behavior, shaping a more controlled and less expressive campus environment.