JNU Campus Erupts: ABVP and Left Groups Clash Over Durga Puja and Ravan Dahan Celebrations

JNU, known for its vibrant political discourse, recently became the stage for a dramatic confrontation between the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and various Left-wing student organizations. The flashpoint? The celebration of Durga Puja and a planned Ravan Dahan ceremony, which escalated into a full-blown clash, leaving the campus tense and demanding police intervention.

The ABVP had organized a Durga Puja procession and announced a Ravan Dahan event, a tradition they claim to uphold on campus.

According to ABVP members, their peaceful procession was met with aggression from Left-wing students near the Periyar Hostel. They alleged that the Left groups obstructed their religious procession, leading to slogan-shouting, pushing, and even stone-pelting, accusing the opposing factions of instigating violence and attempting to disrupt their religious freedom.

Conversely, the Left-wing student organizations presented a starkly different narrative.

They accused the ABVP of violating existing JNUSU election guidelines and previous agreements regarding public gatherings and the use of campus spaces. They claimed that the ABVP had brought outsiders onto the campus and was deliberately provoking a confrontation. The Left groups stated that their protest was against the unauthorized nature of the events and the alleged politicization of religious celebrations, not against the religious observance itself.

The situation rapidly deteriorated, transforming into a chaotic scene with both sides trading accusations and engaging in physical altercations.

Slogans like "Jai Shri Ram" and "Inquilab Zindabad" filled the air as tensions peaked. Authorities were promptly informed, leading to the deployment of Delhi Police personnel to de-escalate the situation and restore order. Reports indicated that multiple students sustained minor injuries during the scuffle.

In the wake of the clashes, both ABVP and Left-wing students filed complaints against each other.

The police registered First Information Reports (FIRs) based on these complaints, initiating investigations into the sequence of events and identifying those responsible for the violence. The incident underscored the deep ideological fissures prevalent within the JNU student body and raised questions about campus governance and the boundaries of protest and celebration within academic institutions.

The university administration faces the challenge of addressing these recurring conflicts and ensuring a peaceful environment for all students.