JNU Clashes Escalate: Umar Khalid & Sharjeel Imam Effigies Spark Violence

JNU Clashes Escalate: The campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) saw a tense atmosphere on Thursday evening. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) accused the Left-backed student organizations of attacking the Durga Visarjan Yatra. At the same time, left-supported groups accused ABVP of using religious rituals for political objectives, especially about their disputed Ravana Dahan program.

Start of clashes

According to ABVP, clashes started near Sabarmati T-point at around 7 pm. Members of All India Students Association (AISA), Students Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Students Federation (DSF) began to obstruct the procession. It is alleged that he stoned and used abusive words with the participants. Many students were injured during this period, in which women also suffered injuries.

ABVP JNU President Mayank Panchal said, "This is not just an attack on a religious event, but a direct attack on the cultural tradition of the university and the beliefs of the students. The ABVP will not tolerate this." ABVP minister Praveen Piyush called it "shameful and condemnable" and demanded immediate action from the administration.

JNU Students' Union's Reaction

JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) Joint Secretary Vaibhav Meena called the incident "an attack on the cultural harmony and brotherhood of the university." He said the violence was a sign of growing insecurity and tension among students.

Left-backed groups counterattack

AISA rejected the ABVP's allegations, saying the ABVP was engaged in political exploitation of religious sentiments. Citing the Ravana Dahan event, they said effigies of former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were used in the event. Both are facing judicial proceedings in the case. AISA questioned why the ABVP did not erect effigies of Nathuram Godse, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, or those who instigated the violence in the 2020 Delhi riots. The organization termed it Islamophobia and divisive politics and appealed to students to maintain peace.

Administration and Campus Environment

Both sides are accusing each other of dividing the campus and spoiling the cultural environment. Due to this, there is a tense atmosphere in the university campus. The JNU administration has not yet made any official statement on the incident. This incident of JNU is not only a cultural or religious dispute, but also questions the cultural and social balance of the university. Violence and stone pelting have affected student life and have created serious challenges in front of the administration for the safety of Campus.