A day after violence broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University as masked men armed with sticks and rods attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, the university saw heavy security in place.
As it happened: Masked goons strike terror in JNU, none arrested
At least 28 people, including JNU Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured as chaos reigned on the campus for nearly two hours.
Here are the latest updates:
We did not see any ‘tukde-tukde’ gang in JNU: Jaishankar
“I can certainly tell you that when I studied in JNU, we did not see any ‘tukde tukde’ gang there,” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Monday when asked about the situation in the premier university.
After the violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University campus on Sunday, Mr. Jaishankar, a JNU alumnus, had swiftly condemned the incident, saying it is completely against the tradition and culture of the university.
“Tukde-Tukde” is a term often used by the right-wing parties to attack the Opposition, particularly Left and Left-backed outfits as well as those who support them.
At a book release event, Mr. Jaishankar also said that unlike China, India allowed issues like Article 370, Ayodhya and GST to fester for a long time.
Delhi Police reject charges of reaching JNU late
The Delhi Police rejected the charge of reaching the Jawaharlal Nehru University late despite several pleas by students’ unions, asserting that they responded to PCR calls and law-and-order situation professionally to control the violence on the campus.
Addressing reporters, Delhi Police spokesperson Mandeep Singh Randhawa said the internal security of the JNU lies with the varsity administration.
“We have responded to PCR calls, and law-and-order situation professionally,” he said.
On the probe initiated after a masked mob attacked students on the campus on Sunday, he said the Crime Branch had found some vital clue and were working on it.- PTI
HRD Ministry officials meets university officials, V-C Jagadesh Kumar stays away
The HRD Ministry officials met officials from the JNU administration and took stock of the situation on the campus following Sunday’s violence, even as Vice-Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar skipped the meeting.
It was attended by the JNU registrar, proctor and other admin officials who briefed the Ministry officials on the sequence of events that unfolded on the campus and the measures taken to restore normalcy.
“HRD Secretary Amit Khare held a meeting with team of JNU authorities, including Pro-VC Chintamani Mahapatra, Registrar Promod Kumar, Rector Rana Pratap Singh and Proctor Dhananjay Singh, today. The secretary held detailed discussion with them and was also briefed about the current situation in JNU,” a senior HRD Ministry official said.
“A detailed report has been sent to the HRD Ministry about the sequence of events. The top administration officials are at the ministry to provide all details leading to present situation,” said JNU Vice-Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar. — PTI
Universities cannot become ‘political dens’, says Union HRD minister
Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on Monday asserted that educational institutions cannot be allowed to become “political adda”, and vowed “strong action” against the perpetrators of Sunday night’s violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Mr. Pokhriyal, who was here to attend some official events, said educational institutions were meant only for imparting education and should not be used for political purposes.
“I have said this earlier also that these autonomous institutions cannot be allowed to become political ‘adda’ (dens). Strong action will be initiated against people involved in such an attack,” he told reporters. - PTI
Attack on JNU not in isolation, says JNUSU president
The attack on JNU was not an attack in isolation, says JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh. “AMU, Jamia and other campuses have been facing it as well. Yesterday’s attack was an organised attack. They were identifying people and attacking them. General Secretary of JNUSU was attacked a day before as well. Never has there been violence in the past 50 years of this campus.
“I messaged the SHO of VK Police station saying that they were outsiders entering campus and I was assured that they had removed the outsiders. But only half an hour after that the mob came and attacked. Someone from a car near Sabarmati T point singled us out and 30 people surrounded us. I was hit with an iron rod on my head... they had hammers in their hands.”
Students, teachers march in protest against attacks
JNU students and teachers march from Sabarmati at the point where the violence started yesterday to JNU Main gate in protest against the attack.
Nobel laureate and JNU alumnus Abhijeet Banerjee has called on the Modi government to establish the truth of what happened in JNU on Sunday night. He told news18.com that any Indian who cares about the nation’s image in the world should worry. “This has too many echoes of the years when Germany was moving towards Nazi rule.”
Mob did not scare me as much as lack of help, says JNU faculty member
Atul Sood, a JNU faculty member saya the stones that were being thrown at their meeting the size of half a brick. “They first threw these stones and after people started panicking and running around. The mob of about fifty came with rods and sticks with the aim of destroying everything on their way... students, teachers and property. Between 4.30 and 7 p.m. when these outsiders were gathering, where was the administration and why did they not do anything to stop this violence and prevent them from attacking?”
Bikram Aditya, another faculty member says the mobs entered home of faculty members. “We made many frantic calls to JNU security, police and administration but nobody answered our panic call. The mob did not scare me as much as the complete lack of help coming to reach us scared me. This is a systematic attack planned by JNU security and JNU administration.”
In an interview to newsclick.in , Prof. Amit Thorat, who teaches at the Centre for the Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, at JNU, recounted how he was attacked by a mob near the Periyar hostel on the JNU campus on Sunday.
“60-70 men in jeans and sweaters were standing with freshly cut lathis and a lot of them had covered their faces. As soon as I took a photo of the mob, a couple of them came and tried to threaten me into deleting it. I was trying to ask who they are as they surrounded me. After I deleted the photo, one of them hit me on the head from behind. Had I not reacted or frozen up, I would've been beaten badly but when my cycle fell, they separated a little so I was able to run away. I returned to the spot where the faculty was waiting and told them that the mob was ready to attack at any moment,” Prof. Thorat said.
CPI(M) demands immediate sacking of JNU VC
The CPI(M) on Monday demanded immediate sacking of JNU Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, alleging that he allowed rampage against students to continue on the university premises.
“The Vice Chancellor, who has been instrumental in systematically undermining and dismantling the country’s premier university, had permitted this rampage to go on unchecked for hours. The Vice Chancellor should be sacked for this complicity in permitting this attack.
“The President of India as the Visitor of the University must immediately sack the Vice Chancellor and ensure that normalcy prevails in the campus,” it said in a statement. - PTI
Never in 50 years has the campus seen such violence, says JNU Teachers' Association
The office-bearers of JNU Teachers' Association or JNUTA, held a press conference in the campus.
Never in 50 years has the campus seen such violence, a spokesperson said. "Our meeting was going on at Sabarmati T point and despite police presence, masked goons came and attacked us."
"We are holding this press conference at the same spot where we were attacked. We stand for the democratic culture of JNU.
We stand by it and we will not be terrorized by violent mobs."
The JNUTA has accusses the administration for yesterday's violence. "The violence yesterday happened with the administration knowing about it as well under the tests of the police."
"Admin is trying to defend those who got into this university and got out without anybody being caught."
Hitting out at the Vice CHancellor, the spokseperson says he is " incapable of running the university."
Gehlot, Pilot condemn violence in JNU
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot have condemned the violence in JNU, saying fascists are afraid of the voices of brave students.
“The brutal attack on JNU students and teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. The violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear,” Mr. Gehlot said in a tweet on Sunday night.
He condemned the attack on students saying, students, teachers were beaten, hostels were vandalised but there was no police inside the campus to stop it.
“It is shocking, Why police is not doing anything to protect students? BJP’s divisive politics is ruining the universities,” he charged.
Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot described the attack as shameful and cowardly.
“I strongly condemn the violence and vandalism at the JNU campus in Delhi causing injury to students and damaging property. Such acts are shameful and cowardly, strict action must be taken against the culprits,” Mr. Pilot said in a tweet.
Residents of Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) Sabarmati hostel which witnessed large scale violence on Sunday evening, wrote to the Dean of Students demanding action against hostel authorities and students who were part of a rampaging mob.
“There were repeated rounds of violence in Sabarmati going on from 7 to 8 p.m.” but none of the wardens were available or those present were too traumatised to react, the students wrote.
Violence has no space in democracy, says Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and several Left parties and civil society organisations on Monday condemned the violent attack on the students and teachers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday. Violence had no space in democracy, he said.
“Shocked to know about the violent #JNUattack. Violence has no space in democracy and such attacks on students must be condemned unequivocally. Appeal law enforcement agencies to take swift action to apprehend the culprits and wish the injured students a speedy recovery,” said the Chief Minister on Twitter.
Political parties, citizens’ forums in Tiruchi condemn attacks on students
Members of various political parties and citizens rights forums came together under the banner ‘Anaithu Jananayaka Shaktigalin Oruginaipu Kuzhu’ (All Democratic Forces Organising Committee) to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and condemn the violence against students at Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi, in Tiruchi on Monday.
Raising slogans in front of Periyar Statue near Central Bus Stand, the protesters, wearing black, hoisted a black flag near the statue.
Speaking at the protest, J. Kennedy, organiser and district secretary, Tamil Desiya Makkal Munnani said that they were against the atrocities and dangerous division of people across the nation. “The CAA is against the Constitution of the country. It is creating fear and unnecessary uncertainty among the common people,” he said.
Patna University Students Union members led by president Manish Kumar stage a sit-in protest outside the University gate in support of JNU students and professors.
With placards in their hand, they shouted anti-BJP and anti-ABVP slogans.
Surya Prakash, a visually-challenged Research Scholar, who lives in Sabarmati Hostel, which was the target of Sunday's violent attack, tells The Hindu :
"They broke open my room while I was studying. I told them I was blind but they didn't listen. They hit me sticks on my back and left saying 'no point thrashing a blind'. Now I am getting threat calls for speaking."
TISS Teachers’ Association condemns attack
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences Teachers Association (TISSTA) has condemned the attack on students and teachers at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday. TISSTA has also expressed solidarity with the Teachers’ Association and Students Union of JNU and has demanded an impartial inquiry into the attack. They have also asked for the Chief Justice of India to take sou motu cognisance of the attacks and summon the Commissioner of Police at Delhi.
“We have issued a solidarity statement. By evening we are also appealing to the Chief Justice of India and the National Human Rights Commission,” Bal Rakshase, president of TISSTA told The Hindu .
BSP demands judicial probe into attack
The BSP has termed the mob attack as shameful and demanded a judicial probe into the incident.
“The violence against students and teachers in JNU is shameful and condemnable. The Centre should take it seriously and it would be better to order a judicial probe into it,” Mayawati said in a tweet in Hindi on Monday. - PTI
Wardens of JNU’s Sabarmati hostel resign
The wardens of the Sabarmati hostel at the Jawaharlal Nehru University resigned on Monday, stating in their resignation letters that they were quitting on “moral grounds” as they were unable to provide security to the hostel residents.
Sources close to wardens Ramavtar Meena and Prakash Chandra Sahoo, however, alleged that a group of students cornered them when they reached the hostel and accused them of not providing security.
The students made the wardens sign the resignation papers forcefully, the sources claimed.
The Sabarmati hostel on the JNU campus witnessed violence on Sunday as a group of masked people armed with sticks and rods barged in, attacking students and damaging property.
Meena and Sahoo said they had fled the campus after being threatened by the masked group. - PTI
ABVP acting like stormtroopers, says Akhilesh
Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav condemned the violence inside Jawaharlal Nehru University in which students and teachers were attacked by masked persons.
Hitting out at the Centre, Mr. Yadav said that masked men attacking teachers and students in JNU shows how “low” the government will stoop to rule through “fear” adding that the BJP is using violence and hate to polarise society.
“Masked men attacking teachers and students in JNU shows the low to which the government will stoop in order to rule through fear. The BJP is using violence and hate to polarise society and stifle dissent. The ABVP are acting like the storm troopers of the BJP,” he said in a tweet on Sunday night. - PTI
IMA condemns attack on doctors, nurses
Meanwhjle, the Indian Medical Assocation has condemned the attack on doctors and nurses who had rushed to treat the injured at JNU on Sunday night.
A group of nine doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and other hospitals was attacked by a mob outside Jawaharlal Nehru University’s main entrance gate on Sunday night.
The doctors, who had come in an ambulance with medical supplies to help the injured students, were not allowed to enter the campus.
Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union condemns JNU violence
The Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union (2018-19) has strongly condemned the brutalities committed against the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday night.
Describing it as an act committed by “the masked goons affiliated to ABVP having the patronage of the Union Government,” the statement said, “the visuals and media reports describing the hostage-like situation at JNU on Sunday night, wherein students were locked in their hostel rooms for four hours and a state-guarded mob went on a rampage are extremely threatening and shameful.”
“This vandalism is a blot on the constitutional democracy of India. The entry of men and women holding lathis, rods and other weapons on to the campus, beating students, attacking media fraternity and yet the police acting as silent spectators for hours raises serious questions on the intent and conduct of police,” said M. Salman Imtiaz, president, AMUSU (2018-2019).
JNUTA writes to President, demands removal of VC
The Jawaharlal Nehru Teachers’ Association has written to the President, who is the Visitor to the varsity, demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor. Holding the Vice Chancellor responsible for the “orgy of violence” in JNU on Sunday, JNUTA said entry of goons into the campus without connivance of the adminstration was not possible.
“The JNUTA with full sense of responsibility accuses the JNU Administration headed by the Vice-Chancellor of being responsible for the orgy of violence in JNU,” they said.
“It is evident that without the connivance of the Administration, the entry into the campus of several of the goons who were not from the campus, and their subsequent exit without being caught, would not have been possible, they said. - PTI
34 people admitted to AIIMS after violence at JNU discharged
Thirty-four people admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here after violence at the JNU were discharged on Monday, officials at the institute said.
“34 people were admitted at the trauma centre after violence in JNU. Four of them had head injuries. They were discharged on Monday,” they said. - PTI
FTII students condemn JNU violence, more protests planned
Students of the Film & Television Institute of India here staged a protest on Sunday midnight against violence at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi.
They are also planning to hold another demonstration on Monday, a meeting for which is currently underway, a member of FTII students’ association said.
On Sunday midnight, the FTII students carried ’mashals’ (fire torches) while shouting slogans against the violence and expressing solidarity with the JNU students.
They held a demonstration outside the FTII gate, holding banners with messages like - ‘FTII stands with JNU, condemns the violence of ABVP Goons.’
Later, students from various other colleges in Maharashtra’s Pune city also joined the protest.
“After getting information about the JNU violence, we immediately called a meeting of students and staged a protest outside the FTII,” the students’ association member said.
Students from various other colleges also joined the midnight agitation, he said.
“What happened in JNU is condemnable and we appeal to all students from various colleges and universities here to protest such violence,” he said. - PTI
Campuses should not be made political battlefields: Smriti Irani
Referring to violence inside Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University , Union Minister Smriti Irani said campuses should not be made a “political battlefield“.
“I had said it earlier and reiterating it now that educational institutions should not be made ‘ rajiniti ka akhada ’ (political battlefield) as it affects the life and progress of our students,” Ms. Irani told reporters here when asked about the violence in the campus.
“I hope students will not be used as ‘rajnitik mohre’ (political tools)”, the Amethi MP said.
“A probe has started in the matter and it is not justified for me to comment on it as I am in a constitutional post,” she added.
Meeting over JNU violence underway at Kejriwal’s residence
A meeting of senior AAP leaders and ministers is underway at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence here over the violence at the JNU the day before.
A clash broke out between members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students’ Union and the ABVP on the university campus on Sunday.
The clash took place during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers’ Association.
- PTI
Students, activists protest in Bengaluru
The attack on JNU students last evening has triggered a wave of protests among students in Bengaluru. A group of protesters gathered at Town Hall on Monday morning to voice their concern and anger over the incident, and police inaction. They demanded the resignation of the vice chancellor of JNU.
Anirudh G., one of the protesters said that it was disturbing to see mobs gain entry into a campus. "What happened in JNU is the death of democracy. It should not be seen as an isolated incident," he said.
Several student organisations have planned a massive protest outside the Town Hall this evening.
On Sunday night, students from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and National Law School of India University held a candlelight vigil.
- Tanu Kulkarni from Bengaluru
Punjab CM describes violence inside JNU as ‘barbaric’
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has described the violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi as barbaric and atrocious and sought strict action from the Delhi police against those who were involved in the incident.
"Situation in JNU is clearly out of hand. @DelhiPolice cannot remain silent spectators to this mayhem unleashed by a handful of goons in the premier university. This is barbaric, atrocious and needs to be tackled with iron hand," CM Singh tweeted.
- PTI
Violence in JNU campus reminds of Nazi rule: Congress
The Congress accused the government of harbouring enmity with youth of the country and said violence in the JNU campus reminded it of the Nazi rule.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also accused the JNU administration of being complicit in the violent attack on Sunday night.
It also alleged that the Delhi Police remained a mute spectator when students were being attacked by armed miscreants.
“Why are you harbouring enmity with youth of country. The more you suppress voice of the youth, more emboldened it will become,” Mr. Surjewala told reporters.
“Violence in JNU reminds us of Nazi rule 90 years ago,” he added.
- PTI
JNU violence case transferred to DP Crime Branch; Registrar, Pro-VC meet LG
The Delhi Police transferred the case related to the violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to its Crime Branch even as two top officials of the premier institute met LG Anil Baijal to apprise him about the prevailing situation there, officials said.
The move came a day after masked men indulged in violence at JNU.
The JNU case has been transferred to the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police, a Home Ministry official said.
Police officials have started collecting evidence and will talk to students.
Meanwhile, the Registrar and Pro-Vice Chancellor of JNU met the Delhi LG and apprised him of the prevailing situation at the premier institute.
Another official said Medico Legal Case (MLC) of 35 students, who were admitted at the AIIMS trauma centre and Safdarjung Hospital, have been completed. - PTI
HRD Ministry calls meeting with JNU administration over violence on campus
The HRD Ministry called an urgent meeting with the JNU administration, including the vice-chancellor, over the violence that took place on the campus the previous day, officials said.
The Ministry had on Sunday sought an immediate report from JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar after the violence broke out and students and teachers were attacked.
There was heavy deployment of police on Monday outside the Shashtri Bhawan here which houses the HRD Ministry. - PTI
HRD Ministry calls meeting with JNU administration over violence on campus, says officials. The case has been transferred to Delhi Police. The Crime Branch police will talk to students and start collecting evidence, says officials.
LG Registrar, Pro-VC of JNU meets Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and apprise him of situation, says MHA officials.
JNU VC appeals to students to maintain peace
JNU VC M. Jagadesh Kumar appealed to all students to maintain peace, saying top priority of varsity is to protect the academic interests of students.
The appeal came a day after masked men indulged in violence in the JNU campus.
“Would like to appeal to all students to maintain peace. The University stands by all students to facilitate their pursuit of academic activities. We will ensure that their winter semester registration will take place without any hindrance,” he said in a statement.
“The top priority of the University is to protect the academic interests of our students,” Kumar said. - PTI
Amit Shah speaks to Delhi LG; requests him to call JNU representatives for talks
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday talked to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and requested him to call representatives from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for discussions, officials said.
The telephonic conversation between the Home Minister and the LG came a day after masked men indulged in violence on the JNU campus.
“The Home Minister spoke to the LG and requested him to initiate discussions with representatives from the JNU,” an official said.
Yesterday, the Home Minister had spoken to Delhi Police chief Amulya Patnaik and ordered an inquiry into the incident.
The Home Ministry has sought a report from the Delhi Police. - PTI
Kerala CM Vijayan condemns violence at JNU
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday condemned the violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New in Delhi and said “Nazi- style attacks” on students and teachers inside the campus was an attempt to create unrest and violence in the country.
Mr. Vijayan said the attack on students is an “appalling display of intolerance running amok” and asked the Sangh Parivar forces to end its “diabolical plan” to silence the universities with bloodshed.
“Those who attempted the Nazi-style onslaught on students and teachers of JNU was trying to create unrest and violence in the country... The attackers assumed the character of a terrorist group and reached the campus with deadly weapons,” CM Vijayan said in a Facebook post.
He said the news report that the ABVP activists attempted to stop the ambulance carrying the injured students union president, showed the extent of their plan to create a riot.
“Sangh Parivar must end this diabolical plan to silence the universities with bloodshed. Remember, those students are speaking for all,” he added. - PTI
JNUSU accuses VC of ‘perpetrating violence’, demands his removal
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) on Monday demanded the immediate resignation or sacking of JNU Vice-Chancellor M. Jagdeesh Kumar for the brutal attack by armed and masked goons on the university campus on Sunday night.
As condemnation of the incident continued to come in from civil society groups and individuals, the Delhi Police said an FIR had been registered against “unknown persons” for rioting and damage to property.
Delhi police registers case against unidentified people
The Delhi Police has registered a case against unidentified people in connection with the violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University, officials said on Monday.
The case has been registered under section of rioting and damage to property, they said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Devender Arya said taking cognizance of the incident, “We have registered an FIR against unidentified people."
CCTV footage of the incident and social media platforms will also be examined as part of the investigation, he said
Security has been beefed up outside the campus to maintain law and order, he added. - PTI
Injured JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh discharged from AIIMS
JNU Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh, who was injured in the violence at the university, was discharged from the AIIMS here on Monday. Ghosh suffered head injuries in the violence that took place on the campus on Sunday.
The JNUSU had alleged that she was hit with stones and rods by members of the RSS-affiliated ABVP. - PTI
Heavy security at JNU after violence on campus
Massive deployment of security personnel remained in place on Monday at Jawaharlal Nehru University, with authorities only allowing students with valid ID cards inside the campus which had witnessed violence. According to sources, security was deployed outside the hostels, administration block and other important locations.
Entry of outsiders including media was restricted, the sources said. - PTI
Magsaysay award-winning musician T.M. Krishna spoke out against the normalization of hate in our society.
"If we still unwilling to recognize and raise our voice collectively against the hate and violence that the BJP, RSS and those in power have consciously and systematically spread and normalized in our society nothing can save us. The time has come for all of us to STOP them," he wrote on Twitter.
Bollywood actors react:
Actor Kriti Sanon termed the incident "horrifying", adding that violence is never the solution.
"It breaks my heart to see what happened at JNU! What’s going on in India is horrifying!!" she wrote on Twitter. "Students & teachers being beaten up & terrorized by masked cowards!! The constant blame game!Stooping so low for political agendas!Violence is NEVER a solution! How have we become so inhuman?"
Scripwriter Alankrita Shrivastava wrote:
"A democratically elected government in a functioning democracy is accountable to the people. Who from the government is taking responsibility for the violent attacks on students? Who is going to resign? If tonight we as a country cannot grow a conscience then there is no hope. The writing is on the wall. Think carefully about which side of history you want to be on. Each person who speaks up counts. There has to be a greater number of people who value and treasure humanity."
