A tense situation unfolded at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Thursday night as a clash broke out between students affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Left-associated groups, notably the All India Students’ Association (AISA).
The altercation occurred during a general body meeting (GBM) at the School of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies, resulting in injuries to three students who were subsequently admitted to Safdarjung Hospital.
In a disturbing video footage purportedly from the scene, one can witness a man wielding a stick and another person hurling a bicycle at students. Additional clips depict individuals being mobbed and assaulted by a group, despite efforts by JNU security personnel to intervene.
Both factions, ABVP and Left groups, have issued statements blaming each other for the violence and have filed police complaints against one another.
Delhi Police confirmed receiving complaints from both sides and stated that they are currently examining the matter.
“We have received complaints from both sides. We are examining the complaints. The Police have come to know about three injured,” Delhi Police said.
However, the exact number of students injured in the altercation remains unconfirmed.
AISA, in its statement, condemned the ABVP's alleged violence, accusing them of attempting to disrupt the election committee selection process and resorting to physical assault when faced with opposition.
“The last day of the GBM at the School of Languages witnessed another round of violence by ABVP goons. Initially attempting to disrupt the selection process for the election committee, the ABVP resorted to physical violence against students when thwarted by JNU students… were seen wielding rods and targeting and beating common students indiscriminately,” the AISA statement said.
AISA also accused the ABVP of singling out Muslim students. “They opposed whenever any Muslim student propose their names for upcoming election committee. They also vitiated the atmosphere of school GBM premises by threatening students, by sexist and casteist slurs,” AISA added.
The Left group also accused the ABVP of targeting Muslim students and creating a hostile environment during the GBM.
On the other hand, the ABVP released a statement denouncing the incident, naming several individuals, including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh, and attributing the violence to them.
"The group launched a vicious attack on students affiliated with the Bachelors and Masters programs at the School of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies. The assailants, reportedly associated with Ghosh and her cohorts, unleashed a wave of violence against the students, demonstrating an appalling disregard for human safety and dignity. Shockingly, even physically handicapped students were not spared from the brutality inflicted upon them,” the ABVP statement said.
The ABVP accused Ghosh and her associates of orchestrating a brutal attack on students affiliated with the School of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies, demonstrating a callous disregard for human safety and dignity.
Notably, this clash marks a recurrence of similar confrontations, with a previous incident occurring during a GBM at the university last month.
As of now, the university administration has not provided an immediate response to the incident.
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