Clashes Erupt at JNU over Depiction of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam as Ravan

Clashes Erupt at JNU over Depiction of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam as Ravan

SRINAGAR: Clashes broke out on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi on Thursday night after effigies depicting former student leaders Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam as the demon king Ravan were allegedly displayed during Dussehra celebrations, according to students and officials, as reported by multiple media agencies.

The incident sparked heated arguments between student groups, escalating into physical altercations that left several students injured. Police personnel were rushed to the university premises to restore order.

Eyewitnesses as per NDTV, claimed that the effigies carried placards bearing the names of Khalid and Imam, both accused in cases related to the 2020 Delhi riots. Members of left-leaning student groups protested against what they described as “vilification” of former student activists, while right-leaning groups maintained that the portrayal was symbolic and part of the tradition of burning Ravan effigies on Dussehra.

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The situation turned tense as students from opposing groups hurled slogans at each other, and scuffles were reported near the Sabarmati Dhaba area inside the campus. University security staff intervened but were unable to disperse the gathering, prompting the Delhi Police to step in.

In a statement, as per The Indian Express, JNU Students’ Union condemned the incident, calling it an “attempt to communalise the campus and demonise dissenters.” On the other hand, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) defended the act, asserting that it reflected the students’ rejection of “anti-national elements.”

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Senior police officials said they were monitoring the situation closely and that additional security had been deployed to prevent further violence. No formal complaint had been lodged at the time of reporting.

The controversy comes at a time when the university has witnessed repeated clashes between rival student factions over ideological and political issues. Authorities have appealed to students to maintain peace on campus while an internal inquiry has been initiated. KNT