Fourteen people, including student union leaders, were arrested following a protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University on Thursday evening, according to a report by Press Trust of India.
Those arrested include JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) president Aditi Mishra, vice president Gopika Babu, former president Nitish Kumar and joint secretary Danish Ali, the report said.
A case has been registered at Vasant Kunj North Police Station under sections 132/3(5) (assault or criminal force), 221 (obstructing a public servant) and 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, it added.
The arrests followed an attempted march by JNUSU members who had gathered at the Sabarmati T-Point on campus and sought to proceed towards the federal education ministry. The protest was part of ongoing demonstrations against recent remarks by Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit on a podcast regarding the implementation of University Grants Commission norms, the rustication of JNUSU office-bearers and the proposed Rohith Act.
Police stopped the protesters at barricaded university gates, leading to a scuffle.
A total of 51 protesters were initially detained, including Mishra and Kumar. Delhi Police said some students assaulted officers during the confrontation, injuring several personnel.
In a statement, the students’ union alleged police excesses and called for a complete university strike. It said 13 students, including three office-bearers, were detained and several others were injured. The union also alleged that a portrait of B. R. Ambedkar was damaged during the police action.
Among its demands, the JNUSU sought the immediate release of those detained, the resignation of the vice chancellor, action against police personnel over the alleged desecration of the portrait, and the withdrawal of disciplinary proceedings and police cases against student activists.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association had earlier condemned the police action.