New Delhi, February 23 – Several students were injured in a late-night clash between two student groups at Jawaharlal Nehru University, with both sides accusing each other of instigating the violence. Authorities have vowed to take action against any unruly behavior on campus.
Tensions escalated on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus after a protest against the Vice-Chancellor turned violent around 1:30 am on Monday.
Following the incident, the Delhi Police have registered a first information report (FIR) based on a complaint from the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of JNU regarding an incident involving JNUSU leaders and their associates on the intervening night, according to police officials.
According to police, the FIR has been registered under sections including 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 191(2) (rioting), 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant to prevent them from their duty), 132 (assaulting or using criminal force to prevent a public servant from performing their duty), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) and provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Officials said that an investigation has been launched, and further details are awaited.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), backed by leftist groups, had called for a march, "Samta Juloos," towards the East Gate on Sunday night, demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the revocation of a disciplinary order.
While protesters alleged that the administration did not engage with them and instead allowed members of the ABVP to confront them, the right-wing student body blamed the leftist groups for instigating the violence.
Pandit recently sparked controversy after she said in an interview that communities "cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card," leading the JNUSU to term her remarks as "casteist" and "insensitive" towards marginalized communities.
Videos purportedly shared by rival student groups showed masked individuals hurling stones and roaming with sticks on the campus.
Left-affiliated student groups shared a video showing individuals throwing stones on the campus, alleging that ABVP members started stone-pelting when they gathered for a protest.
The ABVP also shared videos showing masked individuals walking inside the campus before the violence broke out.
The ABVP accused several students from leftist-backed groups of initiating a physical altercation and later throwing stones at ABVP members, even attacking female students.
The JNUSU, on its part, alleged that students demanding an apology and resignation of the Vice-Chancellor for her "casteist" remarks were attacked with stones and bricks, leaving several injured and forcing many to seek shelter in the central library.
In a statement, the JNUSU named several ABVP members, accusing them of leading a mob.
It also accused Pandit of not addressing them despite being aware of the protest.
"Members of the ABVP threw stones and bricks at the encampment site and physically attacked the protesting students with sticks, creating a climate of fear on campus," the statement said.
It also added that the JNUSU has called for a "Long March" to the Ministry of Education on February 26, and reiterated its demand for the Vice-Chancellor's resignation.
Meanwhile, university authorities said that they have taken note of the incident and warned of strict action against any unruly behavior on campus.
In an official statement, the JNU administration said that several academic buildings inside the campus were reportedly locked by a group of protesting students.
"The protesting students entered the central library and reportedly threatened the students, intimidating them to join the protest. It is learned that this led to a scuffle between two student groups on campus on the night of February 22. The JNU administration has taken very serious cognisance of these disturbing incidents," the statement said.
Condemning the violence, it added, "Strict action is being taken under university rules and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Classes and other academic activities are continuing as scheduled."
The ABVP earlier held a press conference, claiming that the protest turned violent after Left-backed groups attacked students studying in the reading rooms, alleging that a mob of about 150-200 people attacked ABVP activists on campus.
It also claimed that many of its supporters had to be hospitalised after being attacked.
Meanwhile, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA) on Monday voiced concern over reported violence on the JNU campus, alleging that the "leadership" of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit was increasingly resembling the events leading up to the January 5, 2020, violence.
In its statement, the teachers' body referred to the VC's recent remarks on caste and the UGC Equity Regulations, claiming they reflected a pattern of hostility towards social justice. While reiterating its demand that the VC step down, JNUTA appealed to students to maintain restraint and not fall prey to provocation.
On allegations that it was the ABVP which instigated the violence, former JNUSU general secretary Vaibhav Meena claimed at the presser that Left-backed students demanded the closure of reading rooms during their late-night protest, and when the students did not agree to it, they resorted to violence.
"The protesters led by the JNUSU resorted to violence. Six to seven ABVP members had to be admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital. We have their medico-legal case (MLC) reports," Meena claimed.
