A protest by members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union heading towards the Ministry of Education office in New Delhi turned violent on Thursday, leaving several students and police personnel injured and more than 50 protesters detained, according to available reports. Police blocked the demonstration outside the campus, asserting that permission had not been granted for the march beyond university grounds, while student leaders said the action against them was excessive. Approximately 400 to 500 students gathered on the campus before attempting to march towards the ministry offices from around 3.20 pm, according to accounts of the events. Barricades were placed by law enforcement outside the main gate, but as the crowd pushed forward, tensions escalated and barricades were damaged. Police allege that some protesters hurled sticks, banners and shoes, and physically engaged with officers, leading to injuries on both sides.
Senior police officials were among those reported hurt during the confrontation, with officers such as ACP Ved Prakash and ACP Sanghamitra said to have sustained injuries, alongside station house officers Atul Tyagi and Ajai Yadav. A formal FIR was filed at the Vasant Kunj North police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to assaulting public servants and obstructing duty.
Students and faculty members present during the clash challenged the police narrative, alleging that officers had used disproportionate force to push back the demonstrators. Several students claimed they were manhandled as police attempted to drive the crowd back towards the north gate and into the campus. Among those detained were JNUSU president Aditi Mishra and former president Nitish Kumar.
The protest was framed by organisers as a “Long March” aimed at highlighting several grievances, including opposition to remarks attributed to Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, implementation of University Grants Commission norms, the rustication of certain student leaders and support for the proposed Rohith Vemula Act. Students had hoped to draw greater attention to these issues by taking their march beyond campus boundaries.
Student accounts also included allegations that a portrait of social reformer B. R. Ambedkar was damaged during the scuffle, as well as claims that a disabled protester had been assaulted in the course of police action. Videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes at the main gate, though independent verification of these clips has not been possible.
The university administration stated that although demonstrators cited implementation of equity norms as a motive, a stay order by the Supreme Court on certain regulations complicated their case. It maintained that the vice-chancellor and registrar lacked the authority to implement those specific norms, and accused the union of failing to address disciplinary action in connection with previous incidents of on-campus vandalism.
Faculty members critical of the police response have expressed concern over what they viewed as an aggressive crackdown, particularly against students asserting their right to protest. Some faculty echoed the union’s call for calm and restraint, urging all stakeholders to resolve differences through dialogue rather than confrontation.
Thursday’s confrontation follows a string of tensions within the campus environment over the past weeks, during which student groups have been vocal about perceived administrative insensitivity and disciplinary measures taken against union leaders. Conflicting narratives have emerged from different student factions, with rival claims of provocation and counter-provocation adding to the atmosphere of mistrust.
Law enforcement officials have defended their actions on the grounds of maintaining public order, emphasising that no permission was granted for protests outside the campus and that measures taken were in line with standard procedures for unauthorised marches. However, student representatives insist their march was peaceful until the point of police intervention, and have called for the release of detained protesters.