JNU Protest March: Delhi police arrest 14 students including JNUSU office bearers

In connection with the ongoing protest march at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi police have arrested 14 students. Out of the 14 arrests, three JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) members, president Aditi Mishra, vice president Gopika Babu, joint secretary Danish Ali and former president Nitish Kumar, were sent to Tihar jail after an appearance before the Judicial magistrate in Patiala House Court.

The arrests came after JNUSU members had gathered for a “long march” at JNU Sabarmati T-Point , and attempted to move towards the education ministry as part of an ongoing protest.

First Information Report (FIR) have been registered under sections 132/3(5) (assault or criminal force), 221 (obstructing public servant), and 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station, said police.

Delhi police alleged protestors “pelted sticks and shoes” and “resorted to physical assault,” injuring several cops, some of whom were even “bitten” during the altercation.

JNU protest march was part of ongoing demonstrations concerning remarks made by JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit on a podcast over the implementation of UGC regulations, the rustication of JNUSU office bearers, and the proposed Rohith Act .

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JNU Protests: 51 students detained

A total of 51 protesters , including Mishra and Kumar, were detained by Delhi police, claiming that the students resorted to physical assault, injuring several of their personnel.

Police personnel, however, stopped the protesters at the heavily barricaded university gates, leading to a scuffle.

In an official JNUSU statement, the students’ union demanded a full university strike and accused the police of using excessive force during the march. The official statement said that 13 students, including three office-bearers, were taken into custody, many were “brutally attacked and injured,” and a portrait of B R Ambedkar was “damaged” amid the police action.

JNU will hold an all-India protest against the VC on February 28.

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However, according to the JNU administration, the students had no permission for any protest outside the campus, and the admin had advised them to restrict their demonstration within the university premises, police added.

JNUSU has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained students, the resignation of the vice-chancellor, disciplinary action against police officers involved in the alleged desecration of Ambedkar’s portrait, and the withdrawal of proctorial measures and FIRs filed against student activists.

Earlier, the JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) had condemned the police intervention. With inputs from PTI