The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has initiated a complete university strike following the arrest of 13 students, including three office-bearers, during a protest march to the Ministry of Education. The union has accused the police of brutally attacking and injuring several students during the demonstration. They also claimed that a portrait of Babasaheb Ambedkar was damaged during the police action.
In response to the arrests, JNUSU has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained students and office-bearers. They have also called for the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor over alleged casteist remarks and failure to protect students. Additionally, the union is seeking accountability and action against police personnel responsible for the desecration of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s portrait and the withdrawal of all proctorial actions and FIRs against student activists.
The detained students, including JNUSU president Aditi Mishra, former president Nitish Kumar, secretary Gopika Babu, and general secretary Danish Ali, were involved in a confrontation on Thursday while attempting a “Long March” from the JNU campus to the Ministry of Education. The police stated that the march was unauthorized, leading to clashes between students and law enforcement officers.
The protest march was part of wider demonstrations against the Vice-Chancellor’s recent remarks on UGC norms, the rustication of JNUSU office-bearers, and the proposed Rohith Act. Videos of the clash, including the alleged damage to the Ambedkar portrait, circulated online, although their authenticity remains unverified. The JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) condemned what they termed as the “brutal use of force” by the police and expressed concerns about the detained students’ well-being.
