Won’t Let DU Become JNU: How Ramjas Echoes of JNU of Feb 2016

While the Left protesters shouted Azadi slogans, the ABVP cadres said they will not allow DU to become another JNU.

The root of the protests in Ramjas College lies in the outrage at JNU last year. (Photo: PTI)

DU's North Campus witnessed clashes on Tuesday and Wednesday. A debate event at Ramjas College became a flash point as students of Left- affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP clashed.

These clashes seem nothing but a spillover of the clashes on campus that took place in JNU last year.

The Trigger For The Clashes

The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid, facing sedition charges, and Shehla Rashid, to address a seminar on 'Culture of Protests', which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP. Tuesday and Wednesday witnessed violent protests.

On Thursday, students of JNU and DU, who are members of All India Students Association (AISA), staged a protest at the Delhi Police Headquarters at ITO.

The Congress' student wing National Students Union of India took out a peace march to Maurice Nagar police station.

Khalid, who gave a miss to protests on Wednesday and the day before, joined the protesters at ITO in raising slogans of "ABVP se azaadi" and demanding registration of an FIR against them.

"Only a few would have heard me had I spoken at Ramjas. Now, the whole country is hearing me. The Delhi Police has not been able to file a charge sheet against me and they say I am an anti-national and I have links with terrorist groups," Khalid told protesters.

‘Won’t Allow JNU Culture in DU’

There is a palpable fear amongst the ABVP cadres of the Leftist culture sweeping the DU corridors. While the ABVP itself is guilty of violent protests, its members allege that the JNU members used derogatory language and violence on Ramjas campus.

Around 50 members of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad also gathered outside the Arts faculty at North Campus and reiterated they will not allow "any repeat of JNU like events" in the university.

They are anti-nationals. They disrespect the tricolor and <i>Bharat Mata</i> and engage in such kind of activities. We will not allow any repeat of JNU like events in Delhi university.

Amit Tanwar, President of Delhi University Students Union

(With inputs from PTI)

Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam