JNU Violence Updates: Deepika Padukone joins gathering at JNU's Sabarmati Hostel in solidarity with students

FIR filed against woman holding ‘Free Kashmir’ placard

Mumbai Police on Tuesday registered an FIR against Mehak Mirza Prabhu, the woman who was seen holding a poster with slogan, ‘Free Kashmir’ on it, at Gateway of India on Monday, during a protest against the JNU violence,  ANI reported.

Students hold candle march in Bengaluru

Students on Tuesday held a candlelight march in Bengaluru to protest against the violence against JNU students on 5 January.

Delhi Police asks people to provide pictures, footage related to JNU violence

Delhi Police on Tuesday issued a public appeal seeking pictures, footage or any information related to about Sunday’s violence in JNU campus that left 34 people injured even as forensic teams looked for evidence.

Supreme Court Bar Association condemns JNU violence

The Supreme Court Bar Association on Tuesday issued a statement condemning the violence that was unleased against JNU students on 5 January and the lack of police action against the perpetrators.

“The Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association further called upon the authorities to act and ensure that the Rule of Law prevailed,” the statement said.

Jadavpur University students hold protest in Kolkata

Students of the Jadavpur University held a protest in Kolkata against the violence in JNU. Tuesday’s protest comes a day after students allegedly clashed with local police during a solidarity march.

We informed police when we say possibility of aggressive behaviour: JNU VC

JNU VC M Jagadesh Kumar on Tuesday was further quoted by reports as saying that the administration had informed the police in the evening on 5 January when they saw the “possibility of aggressive behaviour among students”. On 5 January, masked people entered the campus and beat up students inside.

Amid calls for his resignation due to “inaction” during the violence, Kumar said, “When there is a law and order situation, we don’t rush to police immediately; we see if varsity security can handle it. We informed police on Sunday when we saw the possibility of aggressive behaviour among students.”

Jamia VC handled situation better than JNU VC, says HRD ministry

After the JNU VC Jagadesh Mamidala skipped the HRD ministry’s meeting convened to look into the matter of the 5 January violence against students inside the campus, the ministry reportedly noted that the Jamia Milia Islamia VC, Najma Akhtar, had handled the incident of violence that had broken out in the campus on 15 December better than Mamidala did.

A report by India Today said, “Interestingly, the ministry observed that Jamia Millia University Vice-Chancellor Najma Akhtar handled the incident of violence inside the campus far better than the JNU administration.”

Ramdas Athawale reiterates demand for arrest of perpetrators of JNU violence

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said that those who had indulged in the violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University should be identified at the earliest and arrested. Talking to the media, Athawale, the president of RPI(A), an ally of the BJP, said the fact-finding team of the Delhi Police, which has been asked to probe into the incident, should complete its job as soon as possible so that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to book.

Sitaram Yechury joins protest outside JNU

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday led the JNU alumni protest outside the campus and slammed the VC for the inaction against the perpetrators of the violence on students on 5 January.

Theatre activist Shamsul Islam was also quoted by The Indian Express as questioning the Delhi Police over the obstruction to the alumni march from entering the campus. “Where were your barricades when goondas entered the campus?” he asked.

Umar Khalid slams JNU VC for ‘sermonising’ on JNU violence

Former JNU leader Umar Khalid criticised the varisty vice chancellor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar for his statements on Tuesday regarding the 5 January violence against students, allegedly by members of the ABVP. 

Demanding Kumar’s resignation from the post, Khalid said, “JNU VC is sermonising via press conference that students should forget the past and make a fresh beginning. This man hasn’t even met the injured students and has instead filed cases against them.”

JNU teachers, students protest outside university

In addition to the protest march that has been organised by the JNU alumni, the current students and professors of the varsity also held a protest outside the university on Tuesday afternoon.

JNU alumni march stopped from entering university

The march undertaken by the JNU almuni in protest against the violence that the students were subjected to on 5 January has been stopped in front of the north gate of the campus, sources said. The Delhi Police has disallowed the march from entering the university.

Have spoken to students, probe underway: Delhi Police

Delhi Police joint Commissioner Shalini Singh on Tuesday said that the personnel had “visited all the spots” of significance for the investigation into the violence against JNU students in the evening on 5 January.

She was quoted by News18 as saying, “We have visited all the spots and interacted with students in JNU. Currently the investigation is in its initial stage. Students have put their confidence in us and given us few inputs.”

Left organisations protest against JNU violence in Kerala

In Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, people from various Left organisations on Tuesday held protests against the violence against students of Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University.

ABVP, NSUI clash in Ahmedabad, 10 injured

Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and its rival National Students’ Union of India clashed on Tuesday during a protest against the JNU violence, leaving over 10 people injured.

The incident took place during the protest organised​ by NSUI, the students’ wing of the Congress, outside the office of the RSS-affiliated ABVP in the city’s Paldi area. The police later rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, PTI reported an official as saying.

In a video shared by ABP News , Nikhil Savani, a member of the NSUI is seen being beaten up in the clash while the local police tried to control the crowd.

JNU alumni to protest against Sunday’s violence 

JNU alumni has given a call of protest against the attack on JNU teachers and students by a masked mob, which students allege were affiliated to ABVP and RSS. They are marching from old campus and will assemble at North Gate. JNUSU appeals students community to assemble at North gate at 3 pm, today (7 January 2020).

Civil society members like Nobel Lautreate Bezwada Wilson, ​CPM leader Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja, Congress’ Sharmishtha Mukherjee, Kanhaiya Kumar and Yogendra Yadav will be in attendance.

Several teams of Forensic Science Laboratory at JNU to collect evidence

Several teams of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) arrived at the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Tuesday to collect evidence in connection with the violence in the varsity campus that left 34 people injured, sources said. Teams from Physics, Chemistry and Biology divisions of the FSL were in the university, they said. 

The Physics team will collect evidence such as rods and stones used by the masked mob to attack students and teachers at the university, while the Chemistry team will collect samples of chemicals, if there are any. The biology team will collect DNA samples, among other evidence. A team of photo experts from the FSL was also present at the campus.

Lets make a fresh start: VC Jagadesh Kumar after JNU violence 

JNU VC M Jagadesh Kumar said, “Let us put all the past behind and make a new start. I would like to tell students that JNU campus is secure place and I have urged all students to come back to campus.”

Kumar’s statement comes amid an outcry for his registration as students say the VC didn’t take appropriate action to protect the students and faculty while an armed mob continued its rampage for three hours.

Kumar’s tenure has been a controversial one — right from the 2016 sedition row, to the November incident where HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ got stuck for a few hours during the JNU convocation, to the ongoing row over increased hostel fees.

VC Jagadesh Kumar says vandals will be punished, urges students to help restore normalcy  

The vice chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University finally gave a press statement almost two days after violence was unleashed in the varsity campus. However, the bulk of his statement was dedicated to informing students that hostel registration process under the contentious revised rules is underway. He expressed hope that students will put the violence behind them and will try to make a fresh start. He also promised strict action against those found guilty.

NESO condemns JNU violence, appeals to Amit Shah to arrest those responsible 

North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) on Tuesday termed the recent violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as “barbaric” and alleged that the central government has failed to protect the innocent students of the premier institute. Advisor, NESO Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah must take immediate steps to book those involved in the violence at JNU on Sunday.

National award winning lyricist, singer, actor Swanand Kirkire condemns JNU violence 

Taking to Twitter, National Award Winner singer and lyricist Swanand Kirkire condemned the violence agaisnt students of JNU. Tweeting in Hindi, Kirkire said, “If you are so full of hatred that you can break someone’s head, and are looking for excuses to justify such an act, just because he or she does not think like you, then I will pray that good sense prevails over you.” 

JNU pro-VC says better if police stays inside campus till normalcy restored 

Masked men involved in JNU attack will be exposed soon: Javadekar

Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said “masked” men involved in the JNU attack will be exposed soon as the Home ministry has ordered an inquiry into the incident. 

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said misunderstanding are deliberately being spread in JNU and others parts of the country to incite violence. “I feel that Home minister has ordered an enquiry and the masked men involved in the JNU attack will soon be unmasked.

Two day after attack, JNU Professor Sucharita Sen files complaint

JNU Professor Sucharita Sen, who suffered head injuries during an attack on students and teachers in the university campus on Sunday, has filed a police complaint.

Sen said outsiders had gathered at the university campus with sticks, rods, and deadly weapons. 

She said she was first hit with a large stone on her shoulder and then with even a larger one on her head, following which she fell on the ground bleeding profusely.

Police to use video footage, face-recognition for probe 

Delhi Police is taking the help of video footage and face recognition system to identify those involved in the violence at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here on Sunday, government sources said. The violence was perpetrated by a group of masked men at the premises of the prestigious institution.

Police is taking the help of video footage as well as face recognition system to identify the culprits, the sources said on Tuesday. The police is also investigating the claim made by a group called Hindu Raksha Dal of being involved in the violence at the university.

Javed Akhtar criticises Delhi Police for registering FIR against JNUSU president 

Mumbai Police says protesters detained at Azad Maidan may be booked under Section 68, 69 of Bombay Police Act

Mumbai Mirror  reported that the cops have told some of those detained at Azad Maidan that they may be booked under Section 68, 69 of Bombay Police Act, which for disobeying reasonable directions of the police. The police say that this will not go on their records as a criminal case.

Two FIRs lodged for vandalism at JNU server room

The Delhi Police has registered two FIRs in connection with vandalism at the server room at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, police said on Tuesday.  The FIRs were registered on the complaint of JNU administration on 5 January, they said. 

The JNU administration had given the names of students union office bearers including its president Aishe Gosh in connection with the vandalism but police have not put her name or that of other students in the accused column of the FIRs.

Nagpur University students condemn JNU violence

Students of the Rashtrasant ​Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University staged a protest here on Tuesday against the attack JNU students and teachers. The protesters, under the aegis of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Vidyarthi Sanghatna, a local body of students, gathered outside the university’s front gate here in Maharashtra and shouted slogans condemning the JNU violence.

Delhi Crime Branch reaches JNU

The Delhi Police crime branch probing the case related to the violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has reached the varsity campus. 

The Delhi Police had on Monday transferred the case to its Crime Branch on Monday even as two top officials of the premier institute met L-G Anil Baijal to apprise him about the prevailing situation there.

Girl who held ‘free Kashmir’ placard clarifies stand, slams BJP for deflecting focus from real issues

The girl whose free Kashmir poster is turning into a controversy amid protests against JNU violence, Tuesday said that her understanding was that the protests were an assertion against government’s attempts to undermine Constitutional rights of citizen, and the extent of crackdown in Kashmir is a violation of rights of citizens of a free country. 

She also spoke against politicians for trying to derail the conversation around the protest. 

Reports say Hindu Raksha Dal claims responsibility of attack on JNU

Hindu Raksha Dal, a far-Right group, has claimed responsibility for the brutal assault on teachers and students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) by a masked mob on 5 January. 

In another video posted on Twitter, the outfit’s leader Bhupendra Tomar alias Pinky Chaudhary said Hindu Raksha Dal workers barged into the JNU campus on Sunday night as “anti-national and anti-Hindu activities” were being carried out there. 

Congress fact-finding committee to meet Sonia Gandhi at 4.30 pm

The four-member fact-finding committee constituted by the Congress following the violence reported at JNU on Sunday, will meet interim party chief Sonia Gandhi at 4.30 pm. The committee is also likely to start meeting students and those impacted by the incident.

The committee is expected to submit its report to Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi within a week. Among the members of the committee are All India Mahila Congress president Sushmita Dev, former NSUI president Amrita Dhawan, MP Hibi Eden and MP Syed Naseer Hussain.

Sena slams Shah Modi for unforeseen brutality 

Against the backdrop of attack on​ JNU students, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that what they wanted was happening, and said such “brutal politics” was never seen before in the country. An editorial in Shiv Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ further alleged that the BJP wanted to see “Hindu-Muslim riots” over the Citizenship Amendment Act, but that did not happen. Since the BJP has been cornered over the issue of CAA, several things are happening out of “revenge”, it said.

Mumbai protesters call off ‘Occupy Gateway’ protests after police detains them at Azad Maidan 

Mumbai protesters claim they are detained at Azad Maidan

Protesters, who were earlier re-located from Azad Maidan to Gateway of India, have said that they are being held at Azad Maidan. They say that the police is not allowing anyone to leave, unless they produce a declaration that they will not assemble at the Gateway of India for any protest. 

Meanwhile… as Mumbaikars continue protests in solidarity with JNU students, controversy grows around lone ‘free kashmir’ protester spotted at event

While the protesters have refused to end their agitation which started yesterday evening, despite being forcefully relocated from the protest site, Maharashtra politicians are fixated on a lone protesters who was seen at the Gateway of India with a free Kashmir poster. 

Devendra Fadnavis was among the first senior leaders to take note of the poster and attack the government over it. BJP’s Kirit Somaiya filed a police complaint in this regard. Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, meanwhile, clarified this and said that the protester was demanding freedom from administrative restrictions and communication blockade. 

Later, Maharashtra home minister stated that the woman who held the poster has been identified and strict action will be taken after due investigation. 

Delhi Police books JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh

Delhi Police has filed an FIR against JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh and 19 others (name not in accused column but in detail list) for attacking security guards and vandalizing server room on 4 January. The complaint was filed by JNU administration and an FIR was registered on 5 January.  

It is noteworthy here that the police is yet to take action against perpetrators of violence in the JNU campus on Sunday night, in which Ghosh also sustained injuries. 

Sanjay Manjrekar lauds Mumbaikars for standing up for JNU, says impossible to shake India’s secular instinct 

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted in support of Mumbaikars protesting against the violence in JNU campus. He said: “Over the years Indians have given boundless love to their heroes without caring about their religion. That’s why I believe its impossible to shake India’s strong, secular instincts.”

Mumbai DCP says protesters moved from Gateway to avoid causing inconvinience to citizens 

Sangramsingh Nishandar, DCP (Zone 1) said, that protesters were evicted from Gateway of India because roads were getting blocked and common Mumbaikar and tourists were facing problems. “We had appealed to protesters many times,have now relocated them to Azad Maidan,” he told ANI.

Sanjay Raut responds to Fadnavis’ free Kashmir barb, says protester clarified she wanted end of restrictions, internet ban

Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut came to the government’s defence after former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis slammed Uddhav Thackeray for allowing ‘separatist’ ‘free Kashmir’ protest under his nose. 

Raut said that he read in the papers that the protester clarified that she was protesting for the freedom from curfew-like restrictions and mobile and internet bans in the Valley. He also said that no protest supporting secession of Kashmir from India will be tolerated. 

Fadnavis had quoted an ANI tweet showing a lone protester holding ‘Free Kashmir’ placard to attack the Maharashtra government. 

Delhi Police present in huge numbers outside JNU campus

Report says JNU chief proctor part of Whatsapp group where threatening messages circulated on night of JNU violence 

The chief proctor of JNU, Vivekananda Singh was reportedly a part of at least one of the several WhatsApp groups where messages threatening violence against students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University did the rounds on Sunday,  The Indian Express  reported. When contacted by the newspaper, Singh said he was not aware of the conversations on the group. 

“I am not an active member and have now quit the group. What is most important for me right now is to restore peace. They are all my students after all, irrespective of groups. I have been a student of this university and it is a very trying time for me emotionally as well. So many times you don’t even look at the messages in such groups when you are added,” Singh, who was ABVP’s presidential candidate in 2004, said.

ABVP leader Anima Sonkar says students were ‘asked’ to be armed with acid, rods 

Anima Sonkar, ABVP Delhi joint secretary made a startling revelation on national television on Monday, Speaking to Times Now, the ABVP leader sought to ’explain’ the visuals showing armed people linked to the ABVP outside and around the JNU campus. However, in her attempt to rebut those charges, Anima ended up saying that the members of ABVP were “asked” on several Whatsapp groups to arm themselves and step out, but all in self defence. 

“So much panic was being created, so many threat calls were being made that all the students were asked to step out in groups.. step out while you have rods, bars, whatever you get handy. Pepper spray. Somebody has acid. In self defence,” Anima told the news channel. 

She also said that that the members being referred to during the discussion were indeed from ABVP. “Yes, I am not disowning these are our activists,” she said. 

When asked about who asked the students to arm themselves on those groups, she was seen evading a response and later altered her statement to say she did not “identify the picture” of the two people holding rods, but merely confirmed that the two names being taken during discussion were ABVP members.

Police refuses to allow protesters to leave Azad Maidan

Protesters told Firstpost that police detained people at Azad Maidan and was shooting videos of them, taking down names, and identifying protesters. They said that the police personnel were not allowing even a single person to leave the Azad Maidan, in the fear that they will mobilise a protest again at Gateway of India.

First person account of protesters at Gateway of India contradicts police claim of no detention

Describing the early morning crackdown of Mumbai Police against the protesters, one of the people rallying there told Firstpost how the cops forcefully evicted all those protesting at the Gateway of India. The protester also revealed that after moving the protesters to Azad Maidan, the police surrounded the ground and prevented anyone from moving out of the field. 

He said, “We were singing songs, raising slogans and protesting in a peaceful way. But police started putting us in buses and taking us away. I was trying to shoot the whole thing on my mobile, which is when they told me to move away. I protested saying I am within my rights to stand alone at a public place, but the policeman rudely told me that I will have to move because he is telling me to.” 

“Now they have detained us here and it is all because they are scared that we will go back and continue our protests at the Gateway,” the protester added.

Mumbai Police ’re-locates’ protesters from Gateway of India 

After a night-long peaceful protests at Gateway of India in Mumbai, protesters were forcefully moved from the area by the Mumbai Police. News reports said that the police had denied permission to continue protest at the historic site. The police had urged protesters to move the demonstration to Azad Maidan instead, but the protesters refused to relent, after which hundreds of people were rounded up and put into buses.