Violence on campus will not be tolerated, no bar on serving non-veg food: JNU adminstration

Two groups of students clashed at the Jawaharlal Nehru University's Kaveri hostel on Sunday allegedly over the serving of non-vegetarian food on Ram Navami

A day after clashes at the premier Jawaharlal Nehru University left 16 students injured, the administration issued a warning to students, asking them to not indulge in activities that disrupt the peace and harmony on the campus.

“... (JNU) has a zero tolerance policy towards any form of violence. If anyone is found indulging in such actions, they will be liable for disciplinary action,” a statement by the varsity administration read.

Students affiliated with both the saffron students union Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Left-backed Students Federation of India (SFI) took out marches in protest against the incident. On Sunday night, clashes broke out between ABVP and Left student leaders at the mess in Kaveri hostel after ABVP leaders allegedly tried to stop the serving of non-vegetarian food on account of Ram Navami. ABVP leaders, in reply, alleged that they were violently stopped from carrying out festivities.

Early Monday morning, Delhi Police registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by members of the JNU Students Union (JNUSU), SFI, Democratic Students Federation (DSF) and the Left-backed All India Students' Association (AISA) against unknown students of the ABVP.

The FIR has been registered under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

Delhi Police said that following the incident, security has been beefed up at the varsity, and teams have been deployed to patrol outside the campus. The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA) has condemned the incident and demanded the safety of the students. “The safety of students and the staff who work for the university has to be fully ensured,” a statement issued by JNUTA read.