JNUSU prez, gen secy, students, teachers hurt in ABVP-JNUSU clash; police called in after masked miscreants go berserk on campus
Several students, including Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Students Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh, general secretary Satish Chandra and teachers, were injured after a violent clash broke out between JNUSU and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members on the campus on Sunday.
The clash took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA). Sources said the violence started around 5 pm near Sabarmati tea point in the campus, where there had been minor clashes over the issue of semester registration under the revised rules.
Violence broke out as masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police.
JNUSU said many students were injured in stone pelting by ABVP members. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the ABVP blamed each other for the violence that continued for nearly two hours.
The ABVP alleged that its members were "brutally" attacked by students affiliated to Left student organisations SFI, AISA and the DSF. “Around 25 students have been seriously injured in this attack and there is no information as to the whereabouts of 11 students. Masked goons of Left entered the JNU today and beat up the students who went for registration,” the outfit said.
JNUSU alleged that ABVP members attacked students who were peacefully protesting against massive fee hike in JNU. “On Saturday, a mob led by Ritwik Raj who is councillor from School of International Studies belonging to ABVP attacked students. Then they attacked JNUSU president and general secretary Aishe and Satish, and other students. Dripta’s, a 1st year MA student, leg was broken due to ABVP violence. Today they shamelessly attacked students again injuring a student from JNU’s Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health,” said JNUSU in a statement.
JNU Professor Sucherta Sen was thrashed and was taken to AIIMS for the treatment, said students. Several photos and videos of the incidents were doing rounds on social media. In a video, Aishe — who suffered a head injury — said she was attacked by goons wearing masks.
JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar said, “There is a law and order situation on the JNU campus. Masked miscreants armed with sticks roamed around, damaging property and attacking people. The JNU administration called the police to maintain law and order. This is the moment to remain calm and alert.”
Late night, a plice officer said peace was restored in the JNU after masked men armed with sticks attacked students and teachers, and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police that conducted a flag march.