JNU Campus Clash: AISA and ABVP Exchange Accusations Over Violence Following Controversial 'UP-Bihar' Remark

New Delhi:

Violence erupted at Jawaharlal Nehru University early this morning, resulting in multiple student injuries. A confrontation between AISA-affiliated students and ABVP workers broke out during a general body meeting (GBM) at the School of Social Sciences, with each group accusing the other of initiating the clash.

The left-wing All India Students' Association (AISA) alleged that the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)'s "hooliganism" triggered the violence, claiming the BJP student wing disrupted democratic processes at the esteemed university. Conversely, ABVP attributed the incident to provocation by a left-wing counselor and held JNUSU president and AISA leader Nitish Kumar responsible for the violence.

These GBMs are currently taking place at JNU in advance of upcoming student union elections. Of the four central panel positions, AISA currently holds three while ABVP holds one. The two organizations frequently accuse each other of undermining peace and democratic values at JNU.

According to AISA, ABVP members disrupted the School of Social Sciences GBM and physically assaulted students. They allegedly heckled counselors presenting work reports and confiscated one person's phone.

"When students questioned their behavior, they began attacking students attending the GBM. They grabbed a female student by her throat and assaulted several others, causing serious injuries," stated an AISA release.

AISA suggested that ABVP resorted to violence because they fear losing the upcoming election. "Their defeat is guaranteed, which is why they're using violence to disrupt the electoral process," the statement continued.

AISA students also claimed the JNUSU president was surrounded and beaten by ABVP members for over an hour.

ABVP has rejected AISA's accusations and instead blamed JNUSU president Nitish Kumar for leading the violence. They claimed AISA members became violent after students protested against a "divisive" remark made by a left-wing counselor.

"Late night, a counselor affiliated with a left-wing group made a highly objectionable comment, stating that 'People from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and ABVP students, don't deserve to be at JNU - they should be expelled from campus,'" according to an ABVP statement.

ABVP leader and JNUSU joint secretary Vaibhav Meena described it as an "insensitive remark" and accused President Kumar of leading an attack when students protested.

"When students protested against the statement, left-wing students attacked a female student, creating tension and chaos," ABVP reported.

The organization claimed President Kumar failed to condemn the incident and permitted the meeting to continue overnight amid escalating tensions before leaving. They alleged he returned the next morning and unilaterally announced an adjournment—a decision ABVP characterized as authoritarian.

When faced with protests, Kumar allegedly summoned associates to attack students, according to ABVP, which further accused Left-affiliated students of tearing their own clothing to portray themselves as victims.

"Multiple students were beaten during pushing and shoving as the situation descended into chaos. Later, attempting to appear as victims, left-wing students reportedly tore their own clothes and created a false narrative," ABVP stated.