Appreciate diversity, dissent but not violence, says JNU VC about Ram Navami clash on campus

NEW DELHI: “The proctorial enquiry was ordered and we're waiting for reports, it'll be an impartial enquiry,” the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) vice-chancellor Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit said while talking to a news agency. Two student groups clashed at the university's Kaveri Hostel on Sunday over serving of non-vegetarian food in its mess on Ram Navami.

Also read | Registrar giving communal colour to clash on university campus unfortunate: JNUTA

Twenty students were injured during the scuffle that broke out between the JNU Students Union (JNUSU), which is led by Left-affiliated outfits, and RSS-affiliate Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Delhi Police said.

Speaking on the clash on the campus, the JNU VC told ANI, “JNU is a free university. We respect individuals' choices, it's a melting pot of all identities. Young people have opinions and we appreciate diversity and dissent but let's not end up having violence: JNU VC Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit on recent violence.”

“I want to correct the public perception that we are tukde-tukde....after I've taken over I've not seen anybody talking like that. We are as nationalistic as anybody else,” she said adding that the issue erupted on whether 'Ram Navami Havan' should be conducted and regarding the food menu.

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The Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) student groups also held a protest and solidarity gathering yesterday, April 12, against the JNU violence.

Demanding the university withdraw the statement issued on April 11, the students’ union led a delegation that requested to meet the university's vice-chancellor to put forth its demands, however, could not meet her.

Reacting to the university’s statement regarding the incident, the JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) said, "We would like to express our dismay at a press release dated April 11 from the registrar, giving the whole incident a communal colour, whereas it is clear that the havan, for which there was no permission given by the warden, was not disrupted by anyone."

Meanwhile, the Union education ministry on Tuesday sought a report from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) regarding violence on its campus

Afzal Ahmed, who has been delivering meat to it for nearly three decades, claimed that some JNU students called him and threatened not to supply chicken to the university's Kaveri Hostel mess on Ram Navami.