A protest by students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi has drawn attention after slogans were raised against top government figures. The demonstration occurred following a significant legal development and marked a somber anniversary related to past campus violence.
Protest Erupts After Supreme Court Decision
The trigger for the recent campus agitation was the Supreme Court's decision to deny bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. They are accused in a conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots. In response, a group of students gathered on Monday night. A video from the event purportedly shows participants chanting slogans critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
University Union's Stance and Police Response
JNU Students' Union president Aditi Mishra provided context for the demonstration. She stated that students organize a protest every year on January 5 to condemn the violence that shook the campus in 2020. Mishra emphasized that the slogans were "ideological" and not personal attacks directed at any individual. Meanwhile, a senior police officer confirmed that no formal complaint had been registered regarding the slogans raised during the protest.
Remembering the January 2020 Campus Attack
The annual protest commemorates a traumatic event in JNU's history. On January 5, 2020, a masked mob armed with sticks, stones, and iron rods stormed three hostels on the university campus. The assailants attacked students and caused extensive damage to property, including windows, furniture, and personal belongings. The violence lasted for nearly two hours, leaving at least 28 people injured. Among the wounded was then JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh.
The Delhi Police faced severe criticism for its perceived inaction during the rampage. The force was also scrutinized for including student union leaders like Ghosh in First Information Reports (FIRs) related to vandalism on campus, a move widely condemned by student groups and sections of the public.
The recent protest underscores the lingering tensions and unresolved issues stemming from the 2020 violence and the subsequent legal proceedings, keeping the spotlight firmly on the prestigious university.
