JNU tense over alleged clash between Left-backed student union, ABVP

JNUSU alleged the administration did not engage with a protest march and instead allowed ABVP members to confront them - an allegation latter denied.

Tensions erupted on the campus of Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after student groups aligned with the Left and Right accused each other of unleashing violence during a protest march in early hours of Monday.

Left-backed groups, including All India Students' Association (AISA), claimed ABVP activists pelted stones at the JNUSU encampment (X/PTI)

According to students, the incident took place at around 1.30 am on Monday, where some of them allegedly got injured in an alleged stone pelting after a scuffle broke out.

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) had called for a "Samta Juloos" or “Equality” protest march towards the East Gate, demanding the resignation of vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the revocation of a rustication order, according to a statement cited in a PTI news agency report.

The JNUSU said on X on Monday, announcing a press conference at 11 am on that they alleged was "violent attack" by "casteist and feudalist ABVP goons", that the demand for V-C's resignation was triggered by “derogatory remarks on Dalits and about UGC Equity regulations”.

Protesters alleged the administration did not engage with the march and instead allowed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members to confront them - allegations the ABVP has rejected, accusing Left-backed organisations of provoking clashes and spreading misinformation about the incident.

Left-backed groups, including All India Students' Association (AISA), claimed ABVP activists pelted stones at the JNUSU encampment and attacked "unarmed students," leaving several injured.

On the alleged clash, JNUSU joint secretary and ABVP leader Vaibhav Meena said a strike , "The left wing's strike has been going on here for the last 7-8 days... The kind of terror they have spread throughout the night, they went to the schools and chased away the students from the study rooms by a mob of 300-400 masked men.... Vijay has been mob lynched by a mob of 100-150 people... Delhi Police did nothing... We condemn this..."

ABVP called the alleged violence “brutal”, writing on X that “students have been severely injured after a shocking attack by Left-affiliated groups, their only fault was studying peacefully in the library.”

Left-backed AISA dominates the JNUSU, elections for which were held in November last year, Aditi Mishra of AISA was elected president after defeating RSS-backed ABVP's Vikas Patel.

According to the purported videos shared by several students caught in the standoff, there were scenes of confusion and fear in the campus as rival groups traded violence near the protest site.

University authorities did not respond to queries immediately.

What JNU said

JNU, in a statement issued later, said it has come to the notice of the administration that several Academic buildings inside the campus were reportedly locked by a group of protesting students.

The protesting students entered the Central library and reportedly threatened the unwilling students, intimidated them to join the protest, JNU alleged.

“It is learnt that this led to a scuffle between two student groups on Campus on the night of 22nd February, 2026. The JNU Administration has taken very serious cognizance of these disturbing incidents,” the statement said.

“JNU administration condemns such unruly behavior on campus aimed at repeated destruction of public property and its inclusive ethos. Strict action under University's rules & regulations and under BNS is being taken to ensure proper academic environment in the campus,” JNU stated.

The administration is committed to safeguarding the academic interests and well-being of all the students and protects the public property of the University, it said.

The JNU administration requested stakeholders “to desist from indulging in any kind of unwarranted activity and cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony on the Campus failing which strict disciplinary action will be taken as per rules.”

It is noted, that presently all classes and other activities are being conducted, and all the concerned are requested to cooperate with the same, it said.