Students attacked and manhandled dean, alleges JNU
The administration of Delhi's reputed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has accused a group of students affiliated to the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) of manhandling the Dean of Students, Umesh Ashok Kadam, yesterday. The registrar's statement says they were protesting outside Kadam's office, after which all hostel presidents and four JNUSU members were called inside for talks. When discussions heated up, they started abusing Kadam.
CCTV grab of the incident
The students had a two-hour discussion before violence started
The students were demanding a reversal in hikes in fees and fine. They had a two-hour discussion with Kadam before the violence started. "I informed them I had come out with a notification to look into the hike...however, the JNUSU president and vice-president realised I won't change my mind, so they called some students and refused to let me leave my office," said Kadam.
Door latched, blocked with sofa, Kadam shoved
After some time 15 students barged in and started shouting slogans. They even pushed Kadam when he got up for lunch, latched the door and blocked it with a sofa, said the statement. He was finally rescued by two guards who rushed him to a hospital. A police complaint has been filed and the Chief Proctor's office will investigate the matter, said the statement.
Kadam asked the security guards to beat us up: Students
Meanwhile, JNUSU members denied the allegations. "The students had not blocked his way. They only wanted an assurance that he will set up a committee to look into the hike," said Simone Zoya Khan, JNUSU VP. Sudhanya Pal, a Councillor, wrote on Facebook that 'after 3-hour meeting, he (Kadam) tried to brush us aside and asked the security guards to beat us up.'
