Several political leaders, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar and State Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray, have come out against violence on Jawaharal Nehru University campus on Sunday. “JNU students and professors were subjected to a cowardly but planned attack. I strongly condemn this undemocratic act of vandalism and violence. Use of violent means to suppress democratic values and thought will never succeed,” Pawar tweeted. “The violence and brutality faced by students, while protesting, is worrisome. Be it Jamia, be it JNU. Students mustn’t face brutal force! Let them be! These goons must face action. They must be brought to time bound and swift justice,” Aditya Thackeray tweeted.
Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik strongly condemned the JNU violence and demanded strict action against the culprits. “Hostels are being attacked. Students and staff are being beaten up. Police is not acting upon to protect them. BJP’s politics is playing with the future of the country,” Malik said.
Today’s protest was a continuation of the demonstrations which started at midnight at the Gateway of India in Mumbai and Pune.