A clash erupted between Left-leaning student groups and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) during a University General Body Meeting (UGBM) held late on October 28.
The meeting, convened at the Sabarmati lawn by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), aimed to discuss student representation in the upcoming Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) elections and issues surrounding gender justice on campus.
According to AISA, the ABVP attempted to disrupt the proceedings by taking control of the stage, preventing student leaders and attendees from engaging in a democratic discussion on the ICC elections. AISA alleged that ABVP members forcibly occupied the platform, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and hostility. In response, ABVP JNU unit Secretary Shika Swaraj contended that the Left groups used the platform to criticize the saffron organization and avoided addressing ICC-related issues. Swaraj claimed that ABVP members were targeted with disparaging remarks, including derogatory references to Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar.
The situation intensified further when, according to Left members, an ABVP affiliate allegedly directed casteist slurs toward a Dalit student expressing his views, escalating tensions and heightening the altercation. Reports from the Left groups also claimed that ABVP members temporarily cut the lights, maintaining control of the stage and hampering discussions for several hours.
In a statement, AISA condemned the actions, calling on the JNU community to resist what it described as “fascist forces” undermining the university’s democratic values. “We stand committed to creating a democratic and inclusive campus, especially in addressing issues of sexual harassment,” an AISA spokesperson stated. ABVP, meanwhile, accused the Left organisations of inciting communal disharmony, emphasizing their own commitment to focusing on ICC issues and opposing what they allege to be a politicized agenda by the Left.
Both sides have appealed to the JNU administration to address the situation, as tensions remain high amidst ongoing debates over campus inclusivity and democratic freedoms.