Clash at JNU During Durga Puja Idol Immersion, ABVP Blames Left Student Groups

National News: Once again, student groups came face to face in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). On Thursday, a clash broke out during Durga Puja idol immersion inside the campus. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has accused members of Left-aligned groups including AISA, SFI and DSF of assault. The incident took place near Sabarmati T-point inside the university. After this, the administration became active. Such violent clashes between student groups have also taken place several times in the past at JNU.

Idol Burning Before the Clash

This clash is linked to a program organized by ABVP on the day of Vijayadashami. During the event, ABVP burnt the effigy of Ravana at Sabarmati ground. The 10-headed effigy had pictures of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Afzal Guru, Charu Mazumdar and Kanu Sanyal. On this occasion, JNU Students’ Union joint secretary and ABVP member Vaibhav Meena said that this is the same campus where Mahishasur Day was once celebrated. He added that the so-called “tukde-tukde gang” used to raise slogans of freedom here, and today by burning their effigies, they gave them freedom. Soon after, when ABVP members moved for Durga Puja idol immersion, a clash broke out between student groups. ABVP has alleged that Left alliance members not only attacked them but also showed them slippers.

JNUSU’s Response to Allegations

Reacting to ABVP’s claims and the burning of effigies with photos of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, the Left-led JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) issued a statement. The union said that ABVP was playing politics by organizing Ravana Dahan where two former JNU students, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, were shown as Ravana. JNUSU questioned why only their photos were chosen for the effigy.

Ongoing Legal Cases Against Umar and Sharjeel

In its statement, JNUSU pointed out that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have been in jail for the past five years and cases against them are still under trial. Their bail pleas have been rejected many times on weak grounds. JNUSU added that since both cases are still pending in court, it is wrong to hold a public trial against them in this manner.