Delhi Police Files FIR Against JNU Students Following Protest Clashes

FIR Registered Against JNU Students

The Delhi Police have initiated a first information report against six students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after violent confrontations erupted during a protest march towards the Vasant Kunj North police station, as reported by a local news outlet.

Among those named in the FIR are Nitesh Kumar, the president of the JNU Students’ Union, along with vice president Manisha and general secretary Munteha Fatima.

The protest was organized by members of the Left-affiliated student union, who accused the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) of engaging in 'hooliganism' during a general body meeting at the university's School of Social Sciences.

The ABVP serves as the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which is closely associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Kumar alleged that ABVP members physically assaulted him, held him captive, and hurled casteist insults, according to another news report.

Conversely, the ABVP contended that its members faced 'regional hatred' and were physically attacked.

The students' union was marching to the police station to demand the registration of an FIR against ABVP members involved in the alleged assault on Kumar, claiming that the police had failed to act on previous complaints.

Despite the police's assertion that they were in constant communication with student leaders to ensure appropriate legal measures, the union maintained its decision to proceed with the march.

According to police statements, around 70-80 students, including women, gathered at JNU's West Gate around 6 PM. Police barricades were set up to prevent them from advancing towards Nelson Mandela Marg.

The police alleged that the students breached the barricades and assaulted officers, leading to temporary traffic disruptions in the vicinity.

As a result of the clashes, six police officers—four men and two women—sustained injuries.

Subsequently, 28 students, comprising 19 men and nine women, were detained.

Left-aligned student groups have accused the police of excessive force, claiming that those who filed complaints were the ones detained.

Kumar, Manisha, and Fatima face charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including obstructing public servants, causing grievous harm, and assaulting public officials.