Clashes broke out between Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students and Delhi Police on Thursday after hundreds of students attempted to march toward the Ministry of Education despite an advisory prohibiting protests outside the campus. The confrontation left several students and police personnel injured, with both sides accusing each other of using violence during the standoff.
The protest, described by students as a “Long March,” was organised to press demands including opposition to the rustication of student leaders, implementation of University Grants Commission regulations, and support for the proposed Rohith Act. According to police, permission had not been granted for the march beyond university premises. Nevertheless, an estimated 400–500 students gathered and began moving toward the main gate around mid-afternoon, attempting to proceed toward the ministry. Police responded by erecting barricades to stop the group from leaving campus grounds.
As tensions escalated near the gate, barricades were damaged and clashes followed. Police alleged that protesters threw objects such as sticks, banners, and shoes, and physically assaulted officers, with some personnel reportedly bitten during the scuffle. Officials said around 25 police personnel, including senior officers, sustained injuries. Videos circulating from the protest allegedly show some students confronting police, throwing objects, and engaging in physical altercations, though students disputed the police version of events.
Student protesters claimed that police used excessive force, alleging that demonstrators were manhandled and detained aggressively. Some students said they were taken to undisclosed locations after being detained, a concern echoed by the JNU Teachers’ Association, which demanded clarity about the whereabouts and safety of those held. One female protester told the court that she was dragged by men in plain clothes and sustained injuries during the incident.
Police detained more than 51 people, and 14 protesters were formally arrested. An FIR was registered under non-bailable sections relating to obstruction of public servants, assault, and unlawful assembly. Authorities stated that the protest turned violent and could not be considered peaceful, while a court hearing the matter observed that assault on police personnel cannot be justified under the guise of protest.
The university administration issued a statement saying the protest violated a Supreme Court stay related to certain UGC regulations and maintained that disciplinary action against students had followed due process after findings of vandalism and violence on campus. It also criticised attempts to shift focus away from earlier incidents of property damage and misconduct.
Student groups and faculty representatives condemned what they described as excessive police action and reiterated that the march was intended to raise academic and administrative concerns. Police rejected allegations of misconduct, stating that officers acted solely to maintain law and order. The confrontation reflects continuing tensions at JNU over governance issues, disciplinary actions, and broader debates surrounding education policy and campus protest rights.
