In a significant disciplinary move, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has slapped a fine of Rs 19,000 each on eight members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The penalty is for their alleged involvement in violent incidents on campus in 2024, which included actions against female students, the use of abusive language, and participation in a gherao.
The Disciplinary Order and Allegations
According to an official order issued by the university on January 9, the students were found guilty of acts of indiscipline. The incidents occurred during a governing body meeting related to the students' union elections at the School of Languages in 2024. The university's order strongly condemned the behavior, labeling it as "unbecoming of students" and a clear violation of established university norms.
The students have been directed to deposit the fine amount within 10 days of receiving the order. However, the ABVP has vehemently opposed this decision, calling it discriminatory. The student wing accused the JNU administration of selectively targeting its members while failing to take similar action against Left-backed student groups involved in the same incident.
Recap of the March 2024 Violence
The fines are connected to a violent clash that broke out in March 2024. The scuffle erupted during a governing body meeting for the students' union elections, with members of Left-backed student groups and the ABVP confronting each other.
Videos of the incident, which went viral on social media at the time, depicted chaotic and disturbing scenes:
- Alleged ABVP members were seen hurling a bicycle.
- One man was filmed thrashing students with a stick.
- Groups of students were mobbed and beaten as university security personnel struggled to control the situation.
The violence resulted in several students sustaining injuries. In the aftermath, both the ABVP and Left-affiliated groups filed police complaints against each other. The university had then announced it would probe the matter and take action against those found responsible.
Aftermath and Accusations of Bias
The recent order is the culmination of that promised probe. While the university has taken a firm stance, stating that the students' conduct warranted disciplinary action under its rules, the ABVP's reaction highlights the ongoing tensions on campus.
The ABVP has labeled the punishment a biased approach, alleging a one-sided inquiry. This development underscores the deep-seated political divisions within JNU's student politics and raises questions about the administration's handling of disciplinary matters involving rival student factions.
