Following the incidents of violence at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus, the administration had banned protests and gatherings. Entry of an outsider was allowed only on verification by a hostel inmate whom the visitor claimed to have come to meet. Even students of the varsity had to show ID cards to enter hostels and the eateries were closed.
New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University management on Thursday accused the students union of "creating disturbance by disrupting security checks" in the aftermath of the incidents of violence between members of the United Left (AISA, SFI, AISF, etc combined) and the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
The JNUSU, however, alleged that the administration was making "unsubstantiated allegations" and sought immediate retraction of "circulars which ban democratic expressions".
Violence had broken out on the JNU campus after a united front of leftist student groups on Sunday won all the four central panel posts in the students union (JNUSU) elections defeating the ABVP.
While the leftists alleged ABVP had attacked their activists ― the new JNUSU president N Sai Balaji was allegedly beaten up ― ABVP countered the claim saying their camp was the victim and the leftists were the assailants.
ABVP presented a slew of pictorial 'evidence' to back their claim in a press conference whereas the left has not been able to do so.
ABVP wants more security as they claim they are under constant threat from the leftist unions. Speaking to MyNation, former joint secretary of JNUSU Saurabh Sharma said, "Our lives are at stake. The photos of injured ABVP cadres are there for everyone to see. We want the security personnel to be increased and CCTVs installed on the campus."
Following the violence, the administration restricted access to the campus. Security has been tightened both in the hostels and at the entry gate. Students of the varsity had to show ID cards to enter hostels and the eateries were closed. At the gate, a visitor had to be verified by a hostel inmate whom the former claimed to have come to meet.
"The JNU administration has received reports that the newly elected office bearers of JNUSU or their alleged supporters have been creating disturbance either by disrupting the necessary security checks by wardens or have been disrupting the routine official work of the officer, staff or administrative officers of the hostels," the JNU registrar said in a statement.
While it would be appreciated if the JNUSU office bearers help the security staff by being vigilant about the miscreants, who may intend to cause disturbance, they must also realise that obstructing varsity officials or its security from doing their duty is not only against the rules, it also damages the ethos which guide the stakeholders of this institution to live in harmony and peace, it said.
"JNU administration advises and appeals to every section of the university to abide by the ethos and principles and rules and regulations. No violations of the rules will be allowed and individuals responsible in causing any disturbance and discomfort to others will be held accountable," the registrar said.
In response, the JNUSU said the administration should have initiated a dialogue with them.
"However, you have instead chosen to make unsubstantiated allegations and statements, which erode the trust of the student community upon the JNU administration in the restoration of normal democratic functioning," the student body said.
The students union said the various security checks are "inimical to the restoration of JNU's democratic ethos".
The JNUSU claimed the students were being harassed by the wardens and security personnel in the name of security. They said many hostels had conducted general body meetings in a democratic manner and expressed hope "their mandates are respected".
The JNUSU is also against the "wanton raids" that are taking place across JNU, they said.
The students' union demanded an end to checks and security measures and withdrawal of circulars with immediate effect, besides a meeting with the administration at the earliest.
On Saturday, groups clashed ahead of the counting, which was suspended after election authorities cited "forcible entry" and "attempts to snatch away ballot boxes".
Six FIRs have been lodged on the basis of cross-complaints in connection with the alleged incidents of violence on the JNU campus.
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