Delhi Police on Monday registered an FIR against unidentified ABVP students on the basis of a complaint received from a group of students regarding a clash over non-vegetarian food in JNU campus.
A day after clashes broke out between two groups of students at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Kaveri hostel over non-vegetarian food being served in a mess, police said six students were injured in the violence.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-West) Manoj C said that they have received a complaint from a group of JNUSU, SFI, DSF and AISA member students on Monday morning against unidentified ABVP students.
“Accordingly, we have registered an FIR under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (Acts) is of. done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). Further investigation is on to collect factual or scientific evidence and identify the culprits.”
The official said that the students affiliated to the ABVP have also informed that they will give a complaint. The same will be taken on receipt of the necessary proper statute.
Several purported videos of violence surfaced on social media, including one showing a student, Akhtarista Ansari, bleeding from her head. Officials have not confirmed the authenticity of the video.
What happened
At least six students suffered minor injuries in a clash between Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Left Alliance members over serving non-vegetarian food at JNU here on Sunday.
On Sunday afternoon, after an altercation between the two groups, a fight broke out.
The Left alliance members accused the ABVP of forcibly banning non-vegetarian food at the Cauvery hostel on the campus, while the ABVP alleged that the Left alliance members, including the NSUI, were not allowing them to organize puja and havan programmes. On the occasion of Ram Navami.
Later, in the evening, the clashes intensified and pictures of injured students went viral on social media.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South West District) Manoj C. said that the situation is peaceful now and both the student teams are protesting in a peaceful manner.
He said that six students were injured during the fight.
In a statement, the ABVP said residents of Kaveri Hostel had organized a ‘puja’ to celebrate Ram Navami, which was to begin at 3.30 pm, but could only start at 5.00 pm due to the uproar created by the Left.
“We were not doing any puja, rather it was organized by the common students of Kaveri hostel. Everything was going on peacefully for the last 9 days but today the members of the Left organization created a ruckus and were not allowing us to worship.”
He said there was no issue of forcibly banning non-vegetarian food in the hostel, but the Left alliance members had a problem with the students organizing religious functions on the occasion of Ram Navami.
“The university witnessed a peaceful simultaneous celebration of Iftar and Ram Navami. Together this celebration once again established the fact that JNU represents a microcosm of India where different identities coexist peacefully. The Left, however, is unable to digest this fact,” he said.
Yadav said ABVP JNU joint secretary Vikas Kumar was injured during the incident.
“His fingers were probably fractured by Left-wing goons,” he said, adding that another student named Ravi Raj suffered head injuries. “He was hit on the head with a flower pot,” Yadav said.
A student named Divya also suffered injuries on her hand.
Separately, JNUSU in a statement accused the ABVP of forcing and attacking the mess committee to change the dinner menu and exclude non-vegetarian items common to all students.
“The menu has food items for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian students who can consume it based on their personal preference. But, ABVP is using muscle power and its ‘goondagardi’ to completely create ruckus and strengthen the ideals of their brahminical hegemony by misbehaving with the staff and asking them not to prepare any non-vegetarian item,” JNUSU said.
It further said that JNU and its hostels are inclusive places for all and not for any particular section.
Students from different physical, social and cultural backgrounds have different food preferences that must be respected and met.
“This act of ABVP only reflects their exclusionary politics and right-wing Hindutva policies to dominate democratic and secular places like JNU,” the statement said.
The injured students were taken to Safdarjung Hospital.
JNU administration started investigation
Meanwhile, the JNU administration has also started an investigation into the clash. The administration has sought a report of the incident from the hostel warden and security personnel. The report will also include the statements of the students.
The university has said that students who violate the rules will have to face dire consequences.
With inputs from PTI, IANS
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