Tensions flared at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Saturday evening when a protest organized by Left-affiliated student groups, demanding a First Information Report (FIR) against members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), devolved into violent clashes with police. The confrontation resulted in the detention of at least 28 students, including prominent leaders from the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), while six police officers reportedly sustained injuries during the scuffle.
The JNUSU had organized the protest, accusing police of failing to act on a previous complaint filed by JNUSU president Nitish Kumar. Kumar had alleged that ABVP members physically assaulted him, held him hostage, and used caste-based slurs during a university meeting to form the election committee for the upcoming student union polls.
Conversely, the ABVP accused Left-affiliated students of initiating violence and making discriminatory remarks targeting students from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Police Account: Barricades Broken, Traffic Obstructed
According to police officials, authorities were aware of the planned march to the Vasant Kunj North police station. Despite repeated requests to cancel the demonstration, students gathered at the JNU West Gate around 6 PM and attempted to proceed towards Nelson Mandela Marg. A senior officer stated, “Despite repeated requests, the students forcefully pushed through and broke the barricades, manhandled police personnel, used abusive language, and moved onto Nelson Mandela Marg, causing temporary obstruction of traffic.”
Police reported that 28 students—19 men and nine women—were detained to prevent further escalation. Among those held were JNUSU president Nitish Kumar, vice-president Manisha, and general secretary Muntia Fatima. Six police personnel, including four men and two women, were reportedly injured and underwent medical examinations.
Student Groups Allege Police Brutality
Meanwhile, student organizations leveled accusations of “brutal assault” against the Delhi Police. The All India Students’ Association (AISA) asserted that the JNUSU president and other students were “brutally beaten up” while marching towards the police station.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) also condemned the police’s alleged use of excessive force, claiming that “female students were pulled by their hair and manhandled, including by male personnel.” They further alleged that student councilor Abhishek was “brutally beaten” and hospitalized.
Police Deny Manhandling Allegations
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest), Amit Goel, refuted the allegations, reiterating that students had “broken barricades, manhandled personnel, and obstructed traffic.” He stated, “A total of 28 students, including JNUSU office bearers, were detained to prevent any untoward incident.”
The protest, advertised as a “social march for social justice,” sought action against ABVP members for their alleged assault on Left-affiliated students.
ABVP Condemns Violence, Urges Calm
JNUSU joint secretary Vaibhav Meena, an ABVP affiliate, denounced the incident as “an insult to the dignity of JNU.” He remarked, “Differences of opinion are natural, but responding to disagreement with violence and spreading regional hatred is against democracy.”
Police maintain that no student was manhandled during the detentions.