On Sunday, a skirmish broke out between two student groups on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in the national capital, injuring at least sixteen people.
The administration of Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU) today issued a warning to students to avoid becoming engaged in situations that disrupt campus peace and unity. The statement continued, "The Vice-Chancellor underlined that no violence will be permitted on campus."
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) claimed that the altercation between the two organisations on the JNU campus yesterday was the result of a pre-planned conspiracy by the opposing group Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU).
Rohit Yadav, President of the ABVP's JNU Wing, stated that they are not opposed to the non-vegetarian food offered in the hostel mess. He stated that "everyone is allowed to consume anything they want."
Mr Yadav claimed that JNUSU students were opposed to the Ram Navami pooja's conduct, and that they attacked ABVP members with sticks while the rituals were being done.
On the basis of a complaint submitted by members of JNUSU, SFI, DSF, and AISA against unnamed ABVP students, police filed a FIR early this morning.
ABVP members have informed Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Manoj C that they will be making a complaint as well, and that proper legal action will be taken once the complaint is received.
According to authorities, security at Jawaharlal Nehru University has been increased to maintain order and prevent any further unpleasant incidents.
Both sides have accused the other of throwing stones at their members and wounding them. According to the JNUSU, ABVP members prevented students from eating non-vegetarian food in the hostel mess and created a hostile environment.
ABVP militants attacked JNUSU students with sticks while they were having supper at the Kaveri Hostel mess, according to Akhtarista Ansari, a JNUSU student who received a head injury during the altercation. "As the ABVP maintains, we never prevented any Ram Navmi puja," she remarked.
As mayhem prevailed on campus yesterday evening, at least sixteen students from both sides were injured. Inside the university campus, JNUSU and ABVP students held separate marches, blaming each other for the violence.