JNU Violence: Education Ministry seeks report from university over Ram Navami clash on campus

On Sunday, two student groups clashed at the University's Kaveri Hostel allegedly over-serving of non-vegetarian food in its mess on the occasion of Ram Navami. 

JNU Violence: Education Ministry seeks report from university over Ram Navami clash on campus

The Union Education Ministry has sought a report from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) over violence on its campus on Ram Navami. The move comes even as the varsity's students' union demanded an independent judicial inquiry into the matter. On Sunday, two student groups clashed at the University's Kaveri Hostel allegedly over-serving of non-vegetarian food in its mess on the occasion of Ram Navami. 

“As per standard procedures, a formal report has been sought about the clash between the student groups on the occasion of Ram Navami and the unrest on campus,” a ministry official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Former JNU vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, who is currently the chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), said that violence of any kind on university campuses should be avoided. The groups have lodged police complaints against each other, while JNU authorities claimed the violence occurred after some students objected to a 'hawan', an assertion also made by RSS-affiliate Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

However, the JNU Students Union (JNUSU), which is led by Left-affiliated outfits, has alleged that ABVP members attacked students while opposing the serving of non-vegetarian food in the mess. Police will be recording the statements of the victims once the situation calms down, a senior officer said. Student bodies also held a protest outside the Jamia Millia Islamia against JNU violence and demanded that food choices cannot be imposed on people in the name of Ram Navami.

"Not only in JNU but there was violence on Ram Navami in states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. You cannot dictate what people should eat and impose your food choices on them," said a protester.

At JNU, its student's union led a delegation to meet the university's vice-chancellor Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit to put forth its demands but could not meet her. Security officials have asked it to put in a formal request for an appointment with the vice-chancellor. 

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