Several students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University allegedly broke into the house of the Vice-Chancellor and confined his wife for several hours on Monday.
A report on NDTV, citing sources, said that a group of students from Left outfits went to the house of M Jagadesh Kumar with their concerns but he offered them sweets rather than listen to their concerns. The students had been on a hunger strike for a week, against the online entrance exam system that is to be implemented from this academic year.
The students reportedly barged into Kumar's home when he was away and surrounded his wife. The situation was broken up when the police was brought in and the wives of other professors helped her out.
Jagadesh Kumar expressed dismay with the events in a tweet saying: "This evening few hundred students forcibly broke into my JNU residence and confined my wife inside home for several hours while I was away in a meeting. Is it the way to protest? Terrorosing a lonely lady at home?" (sic)
This evening few hundred students forcibly broke into my JNU residence and confined my wife inside home for several hours while I was away in a meeting. Is it the way to protest? Terrorosing a lonely lady at home?
— Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) March 25, 2019
However, he has refused to press charges against the students, and instead asked them not to repeat such acts in the future.
While last night's violent behavior by students in front my JNU residence is condemnable, neither me nor my wife will file a police complaint against the students. We have forgiven them. Wish them the best and hope they will reform and not repeat such acts in future.
— Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) March 26, 2019
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) has denied Kumar's allegation.
"The JNUSU categorically rejects the falsehood being spread by the VC, Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar. The JNUSU (on Monday) after waiting (at the VC's residence) returned to the protest venue where an indefinite hunger strike is taking place," it said.
A student from a Left student outfit rejected the allegation and said a group of students had gone to meet the vice-chancellor, but they were allegedly manhandled by the security personnel.
With PTI inputs