Left Groups, ABVP Trade Barbs As Clashes Erupt At JNU Anti-VC Protest
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union organised a protest against JNU VC Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit on Feb 22 (Photograph: Screen grab/X)
Several students were injured after a late-night protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) turned violent, with rival student groups trading accusations over who sparked the clashes. The unrest followed a demonstration demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the revocation of a rustication order.
Tensions escalated around 1.30 am on Monday when a march organised by the Left-backed Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) moved towards the East Gate. The rally, called “Samta Juloos”, led to a confrontation between members of Left-affiliated groups and activists from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
The protest was triggered by remarks made earlier by Pandit in an interview, where she said that communities “cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card.” The JNUSU described the comments as “casteist” and “insensitive” and demanded that she apologise and step down.
As the march progressed, videos circulated by both sides appeared to show masked individuals carrying sticks and allegedly hurling stones. Each group accused the other of instigating the violence.
Left-affiliated student organisations alleged that ABVP members began pelting stones when protesters gathered near the encampment site. In a statement, the JNUSU said, “Members of the ABVP threw stones and bricks at the encampment site and physically attacked the protesting students with sticks, creating an atmosphere of fear on campus.” The union further claimed that students seeking an apology and resignation from the vice-chancellor were targeted and forced to take shelter inside the central library.
The ABVP, however, rejected these allegations and released videos purportedly showing masked individuals moving around the campus before the clashes began. Naming several students from Left-backed organisations, the ABVP accused them of initiating a physical altercation and later resorting to stone-pelting. The organisation also alleged that women students were among those attacked.
The university administration confirmed that a scuffle had taken place and expressed concern over the developments. In an official statement, it said several academic buildings were allegedly locked by protesting students and claimed that some protesters entered the central library and “reportedly threatened” students to join the agitation.
“It is learnt that this led to a scuffle between two student groups on campus on the night of 22 February. The JNU administration has taken very serious cognisance of these disturbing incidents,” the statement read.
Condemning the violence, the administration added, “Strict action is being taken under university rules and the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita). Classes and other academic activities are continuing as scheduled.”
Meanwhile, the JNUSU announced plans for a “Long March” to the Ministry of Education on 26 February, reiterating its demand that the vice-chancellor resign. As investigations continue, university authorities have indicated that further action will follow based on the findings.
