Violent Clashes Erupt at JNU Over VC's Remarks on UGC Equity Regulations
New Delhi witnessed a tumultuous scene late Sunday night as a protest march at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) against Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit escalated into violent confrontations. The demonstration, organized by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), was sparked by Pandit's recent remarks in a podcast where she termed the University Grants Commission (UGC) equity regulations as "irrational" and "unnecessary". In her comments, she also stated that Dalits and Black communities "cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card", which fueled widespread outrage among students.
Protest Demands and Escalation
The JNUSU had called for the march, demanding an apology and resignation from Vice-Chancellor Pandit. Additionally, the union sought the revocation of rustication orders and fines imposed on February 2 against the JNUSU panel and the former JNUSU president. These penalties were related to damages to university property during a protest last year. According to JNUSU vice-president K Gopika Babu, thousands of students participated in the "equality juloos" march, which initially proceeded peacefully to the VC's residence.
Babu explained that when the Vice-Chancellor did not address the protestors, the students decided to escalate their actions. "We had said if our demands were not met, we would escalate our protest. When the VC did not come out to address us, we decided to boycott classes and implement a lockdown of the schools until she apologises and resigns," she stated. This decision was reportedly taken unanimously at a general body meeting after consultations with school and faculty representatives, with Babu denying allegations that students were forced to join the protest.
Violence and Conflicting Accounts
The situation turned violent when protestors gathered at the School of Languages lawn. JNUSU alleged that members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) initiated the aggression by throwing stones and bricks at the encampment site. "They abused those protesting against the VC's remarks and physically attacked several students with sticks. Many were injured and left traumatised. Students were forced to take shelter inside the Central Library," the JNUSU stated. Babu claimed that they had to lock the library doors from inside to prevent further attacks.
In contrast, ABVP members denied these allegations and asserted that they "intervened" after receiving reports that students were being coerced into vacating reading rooms to join the protest. Vaibhav Meena, an ABVP member and former JNUSU joint secretary, who was seen in a video breaking a lock, said, "We were contacted by students who said they were being forced to participate. That is why we broke the lock. You can protest, but you cannot force students to join and disrupt their studies." Meena further alleged that ABVP members were attacked, and a fire extinguisher was discharged in a closed room, suffocating a student. He reported that two ABVP students underwent medical examinations, with some injured individuals taken to the hospital, though the administration stated it had no information on any hospitalizations.
University Response and Legal Actions
The university administration confirmed that several security personnel were injured during the incident and vowed to take strict action against those responsible. According to official statements, several academic buildings were locked by protesting students, and some entered the Central Library, threatening unwilling students. This led to a scuffle between the two groups, although classes continued as usual. Videos shared by both factions showed masked individuals carrying sticks and stones on campus premises, though these could not be independently verified.
In a significant development, an FIR was registered late Monday at the Vasant Kunj North police station against JNUSU members. The charges include:
- Voluntarily causing hurt
- Wrongful restraint
- Rioting
- Unlawful assembly
- Causing hurt to deter public servant from duty
- Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty
- Criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, dealing with mischief causing damage to public property
This incident highlights the deep-seated tensions at JNU over issues of equity and governance, with both student groups and the administration now embroiled in a legal and political standoff. The fallout from these clashes is expected to have lasting implications for campus dynamics and policy discussions on educational equity in India.
