- Violent clashes between students and ABVP members break outside Delhi University’s Ramjas College
- ABVP on Tuesday had created a ruckus over Ramjas College’ decision to invite JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid
- Rashid said police failed to act while ABVP ‘goons’ pelted stones at the protestors
- Both student protesters and ABVP demand for the police to register their complaints
- Three reporters from The Quint were assaulted by the ABVP and policemen.
Violent clashes broke out between two student groups outside Ramjas College, leaving many injured on Wednesday – a day after the ABVP forced the suspension of a conference ‘Cultures of Protest’ where JNU student Umar Khalid was scheduled to speak.
At least a dozen students and a professor of English were wounded during a march from Ramjas college to Maurice Nagar police station when students affiliated to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is the RSS students wing, launched attack on protesting students.
The students had taken out the march to protest against the violence displayed by ABVP members earlier on Tuesday, during the conference.
Former Vice President of JNU Students’ Union, Sheila Rashid who was scheduled to speak at the seminar on Wednesday.
We were attacked, police did nothing. Our students were bleeding. They hurled bricks at us, they pulled our hair and used derogatory language against women.Sheila Rashid, Former Vice President of JNUSU
A reporter from The Quint was assaulted by ABVP. Two others were beaten up policemen.
The ABVP, however, denied resorting to violence or forcing the college to cancel the invite to Khalid and Rashid.
The students alleged that police were mute spectators to the violent events. The ABVP, however, denied resorting to violence or forcing the college to cancel the invite to Khalid and Rashid.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Esha Pandey told IANS that the situation has been controlled.
We have controlled the situation. We will take all necessary action after investigating the matter...and maintain peaceful ambience (in the college) for students.
Eight policemen suffered injuries in the clashes between the two factions of students, ANI reported.
Delhi Police picked up a person from the protest at random and bashed him up only to realise he was a journalist. Then, they apologised to him.
Video Shows ABVP Members Attacking Students
Indian Writers Forum posted a video showing members of ABVP charging at the protesters even as the police force try to hold them back. They also manhandled female protesters.
Free Speech in Indian Universities Under Threat: Amnesty International
Amnesty International which is a human rights NGO released a statement commenting on the violent protests that took place between the student protesters.
In its official statement, it said:
Recent events at Ramjas college in Delhi illustrate the growing threat to freedom of expression on Indian university campuses.Amnesty International India
Universities are supposed to be safe spaces for debate and discussion. But the events at Ramjas College are a shameful reminder of how intimidation and threats continue to restrict free speech on university campuses.Aakar Patel, Executive Director at Amnesty International India