(Image source from: newsd.in)
Several students including Aishe Gosh, the president of JNUSU were attacked by a mod wearing masks, armed with lathis on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru University as they were protesting against the hostel fee hike.
Terrified by the attack, the students sent SOS messages to their friends, family accusing Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) which is linked with RSS, of the attack.
The government of Delhi said that seven ambulances have been sent to the JNU while 10 ambulances were on standby. The visuals from the spot show Gosh being badly injured and has been taken to a nearby hospital.
Gosh stated that, she has been beaten up by goons wearing masks. “I have been brutally attacked by goons wearing masks. I have been bleeding. I was brutally beaten up,” she said.
The accusations have been denied by the ABVP and levelled counter-allegations against the Left-associated student groups regarding the violence.
The Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal expressed shock on the incident and said that the police should restore peace immediately.
I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police shud immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus?
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 5, 2020
According to the officials, Home Minister Amit Shah enquired about the situation in JNU by the Delhi police commissioner.
It has come to Ministry's notice that a group of masked people entered the JNU campus today, threw stones, damaged property and attacked students. This is very unfortunate and highly condemnable, such acts of violence and anarchy will not be tolerated.
— Ministry of HRD (@HRDMinistry) January 5, 2020
Several political leaders have expressed their concerns regarding the attack on the students of JNU.
Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister has tweeted “Horryfying images from JNU --- the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today.”
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.
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) January 5, 2020
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs tweeted saying that, “Have seen pictures of what is happening in JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally.”
Have seen pictures of what is happening in #JNU. Condemn the violence unequivocally. This is completely against the tradition and culture of the university.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 5, 2020
Swara bhaskar, an Indian actress who works for Hindi film industry has made an appeal via her instagram posts were she has asked the people of Delhi to gather in large groups at the JNU in order to stop the rampage by the alleged goons with masks on the campus of JNU.
By Shrithika Kushangi