JNU violence: FIRs filed against ABVP, Left students
The Hindu
Violence on campus will not be tolerated, says JNU administration
A day after violence broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) allegedly over the serving of non-vegetarian food in the varsity’s Kaveri hostel on Ram Navami, Delhi Police on Monday filed two FIRs in connection with the incident.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Manoj C. said the FIRs were registered at Vasant Kunj police station under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint and outraging the modesty of women. He said an investigation has been initiated to collect factual and scientific evidence and to identify the culprits.
Mr. Manoj said unknown members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were booked based on a complaint filed by a group of students affiliated to Left organisations such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Students’ Union (JNUSU), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF) and All India Students’ Association. Another FIR was lodged on the basis of a complaint lodged by ABVP activists against unknown members of the JNUSU, SFI and DSF.
Students affiliated to Left groups said violence broke out on Sunday evening after ABVP members issued threats against serving non-vegetarian food to students at Kaveri hostel and assaulted students. ABVP members denied any wrongdoing and said Left-affiliated students disrupting Ram Navami celebrations near the hostel led to the violence. While the police said six students were injured in the clashes, student bodies pegged the number at 30.
The JNU administration on Monday said it had taken serious note of the incident. Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and other officials visited the hostel and met the students.
In a statement, JNU Registrar Ravikesh said, “The Vice-Chancellor conveyed that no violence will be tolerated on campus and appealed to students to maintain peace and harmony. Security personnel have been instructed to stay vigilant in preventing such incidents and submit a report immediately to the administration.”
The administration reiterated it had zero tolerance for any form of violence on campus and appealed to students to refrain from actions that disturb peace and harmony on campus. “If anyone is found indulging in such acts, they will be liable for disciplinary action as per University Rules,” the statement said.