JNU attack: Police deployed, campus on lockdown as masked goons spread terror

“#SOSJNU” was the rallying cry on Twitter on Sunday evening, as activists, journalists and the staff and students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) alike tweeted for help from what increasingly resembled a war-like situation, as masked mobs patrolled the campus, policemen held a flag march within the campus, and at least 28 people were injured.

25 ABVP members were also allegedly injured according to the outfit, though no hospital reports of the same have emerged yet.

At least one teacher was confirmed injured, as JNUSU shared a photo of Sucharita Sen in a wheelchair at the AIIMS hospital. 

Early in the evening, videos circulated of a group of masked men and women storming the JNU Sabarmati hostel, hammers in hand. The videos do not show what caused the escalation, or the affiliation of the masked mob. This clip accompanied one of JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh bleeding and injured, saying the men did it to her.

JNUSU later tweeted saying the attacks were carried out by the ABVP.

Since then, the North and South gates of the campus have been sealed, as the men aggressively patrolled the campus. Access was restricted to the university, as journalists were threatened on attempting to enter the gates.

The JNU Registrar issued a notice saying “masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people,” adding that the JNU administration had called the police to maintain order.

The Delhi police later held a ‘flag march’ inside the campus, saying they had the situation under control. Home Minister Amit Shah asked the Delhi Police chief Amulya Patnaik for a report on the situation. The police issued a statement late at night.

"We were informed that there was a clash between two groups of students. The JNU administration sought police assistance from us in writing," Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Anand Mohan said. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) said private and public vehicles were damaged. "After we received written request from the JNU administration, we entered the campus and restored peace. Legal action will be taken."

Around 10 pm, the BJP tweeted, strongly condemning the violence, calling it “a desperate attempt by forces of anarchy, who are determined to use students as cannon fodder, create unrest to shore up their shrinking political footprint.”

The AAP tweeted at the same time, saying that Delhi Govt officials were trying to get in touch with ambulance staff and medical teams to provide help to injured students, but that ambulances being were denied entry into the JNU campus by the police.  

Several JNU students were admitted at the AIIMS hospital, where Priyanka Vadra Gandhi later visited. At 11 pm, she tweeted her findings from the hospital.

"Wounded students at AIIMS trauma centre told me that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and other weapons. Many had broken limbs and wounds on their heads. One student said the police kicked him several times on his head."

Rahul Gandhi condemned the incident on Twitter, saying, "The brutal attack on JNU students and teachers by masked thugs, that has left many seriously injured, is shocking. The fascists in control of our nation, are afraid of the voices of our brave students. Today's violence in JNU is a reflection of that fear."

A clip of Yogendra Yadav being roughed up near the gates was shared by the women’s advocacy group ‘Pinjra Tod’, who shared several clips of the chaos unfolding inside the campus. 

While students told both The Wire and NDTV that the attackers were from the ABVP, the ABVP has, in turn, claimed that 25 of their members were also injured, with 11 missing, alleging that its members had been “brutally” attacked by students affiliated to Left organisations SFI, AISA and DSF.

Two union ministers commented on the incident, with both Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar—both JNU alumni—“unequivocally” condemning the violence.

“Have seen pictures of what is happening in #JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university” Jaishankar tweeted.

"Horrifying images from JNU—the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today. This govt, regardless of what has been said the past few weeks, wants universities to be safe spaces for all students" tweeted Sitharaman.

Niti Ayog CEO Amit Kant also issued a similar-tweet. "#JNU has always been a centre of lively & vibrant debate, discussion & co-existence of different viewpoints. What has happened today is extremely sad & tragic. I strongly & unequivocally condemn the violence on campus. This is totally unacceptable."

Several students help vigils till late into the night in opposition to the armed mob's actions.