Police resorted to lathicharge after a clash with protesting Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students on Monday, 9 December. The students were marching towards Rashtrapati Bhawan to meet the president, visitor of the varsity, to urge him to intervene to ensure that the hike in hostel fee is rolled back.
In view of the march, security was beefed up around JNU since morning.
Roads leading to JNU were shut for traffic and appeals made to students to protest peacefully, a police official said.
The students circulated photos, claiming police have closed all gates of the university before beginning the march. As they began, they shouted slogans like "Delhi Police go back" and "Education must be free for all".
‘Women Students Dragged, Beaten’: AISA
During the day, All India Students Association (AISA) in its official statement said, “Today, when the students were peacefully marching towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan, who is also the Visitor of JNU, to raise their concerns about the fee hike and the complete apathy on part of the Vice Chancellor, they were surrounded by the police and forces and lathicharged.”
AISA added, “Women students were dragged and beaten. After isolating around 5 female students and detaining them in a bus, some 10 police manhandled and kicked and beat them brutally.”
The group also pointed out that one student got seriously injured amid the mayhem and was denied medical help. Meanwhile JNUSU General Secretary, Satish Chandra Yadav, was also dragged and kicked and beaten up by policemen, they said.
Entry and exit points at Udyog Bhawan, Lok Kalyan Marg and Central Secretariat metro stations were closed by authorities fearing protests there.
While Delhi Congress members were protesting to express solidarity with the Unnao rape victim, JNU students were marching to the Rashtrapati Bhawan against the hostel fee hike.
Protest Going On For Over a Month
The students have been protesting for over a month against the hostel fee hike and have also called for boycott of upcoming semester exams, despite warnings from the administration.
The HRD Ministry had set up a three-member committee to look into ways to restore normal functioning in JNU and mediate between the agitating students and the administration. The panel has submitted its report to the ministry but no call has been taken yet.
(This story has been edited for clarity.)
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