Students' Groups Clash In JNU, Injuries Reported

Two groups of students clashed at the Kaveri hostel in Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi on Sunday, according to police.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union alleged that the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members stopped students from eating non-vegetarian food in the hostel and "created a violent atmosphere". On the other hand, ABVP - the students wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, denied the charge and alleged that "Leftists" obstructed a pooja programme organised at the hostel on Ram Navami festival.

Both JNUSU and ABVP accused each other of pelting stones and injuring their members.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Manoj C told PTI that some students have sustained injuries.

He said, "There is no violence as of now. A protest was held which is over. We are all positioned here with our team. On the request of the university, we have come here. We are trying to maintain peace."

He added the details of the incident will be shared later.

The JNUSU alleged that the ABVP used "muscle power and goondaism" to create a ruckus, manhandling the staff and asking them not to prepare any non-vegetarian items.

It said, "They were forcing and attacking the mess committee to change the dinner menu and exclude the usual non-vegetarian items in it for all students. JNU and its hostels are meant to be inclusive spaces for all and not one particular section."

The ABVP, however, rejected the JNUSU's allegations and claimed "Leftists'' disrupted a pooja and havan organised by students on the occasion of Ram Navami.

The RSS students wing said, "Some common students had organised a pooja and havan programme on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami at 3:30 pm at Kaveri hostel. This pooja was joined by a large number of common students of JNU. The Leftists came to object, obstruct, and prevent the pooja from happening. They have created a false ruckus on the issue of 'Right to Food' (Non-Vegetarian Food)."

With PTI inputs