Two groups of students at Jawaharlal Nehru University got into a scuffle late Sunday night, with both sides alleging injuries and filing cross-complaints, police said. Students from the ABVP alleged they were holding a meeting when a group of students came and attacked them. The organisation also posted a video purportedly showing a student inside an ambulance. “Finger of an MA student was broken in this brutal assault, a Divyang student was manhandled, and various ABVP activists were hit,” it claimed on Twitter. Meanwhile, members of the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) raised similar allegations — that ABVP had disrupted their meeting and “unleashed violence” on campus. Photos purportedly showing injured students were posted by Aishe Ghosh, the JNUSU president and SFI member. Police said they received a PCR call about a fight and sloganeering on campus. Gaurav Sharma, DCP (Southwest), said, “We responded immediately and found that there was no fight — rather heated arguments took place between two groups of students over organising a seminar at the students’ union hall. JNUSU has not lodged any complaint so far but one student filed a complaint against ABVP students. Students affiliated with the ABVP also came to the police station and gave written complaints. Both sides are levelling allegations of disrupting meeting and violence. Legal action will be taken.” Police said they have registered cross-FIRs though no arrest has been made and students are being questioned. The office of the JNU Chief Proctor also issued a statement: “It has come to the notice of JNU administration that last night, some scuffle between two groups of students occurred at the Students Activity Centre in the campus. The students are aware that this venue in the JNU Campus is a common activity/facility centre for all students of the University without discrimination, and every student is entitled and free to use the place adhering to the rules of the university. Violence and unruly behaviour have no place in an academic institution, and JNU Administration would strongly disapprove of any kind of violence and disorderly conduct in the campus.” “.. Nobody should be allowed to disturb the peaceful existence and functioning of others. JNU administration requests all the students not to go by any rumours that may affect the peaceful academic atmosphere in the campus.” it stated.
