#JNUViolence: Delhi Police detains JNU students marching towards Rashtrapati Bhavan
Delhi Police on Thursday stopped a huge protest march by the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University and detained some students as they attempted to march towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The protest march was taken out against the January 5 violence on the JNU campus and to push for their demands related to hostel fees hike and suspension of Vice-Chancellor M Jagadeesh Kumar. Here's more.
JNUSU President called for protest march towards Rashtrapati Bhavan
The protest march was taken out after a meeting of the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) President, Aishe Ghosh, and other members with the HRD Ministry concluded. Ghosh, who termed the meeting "unsatisfactory", called for a protest march towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Soon, a scuffle broke out between students and cops as their march was halted. The police also lathi-charged and detained the protesting students.
Senior politicians also joined the protest march
Apart from JNU students, teachers, civil society groups, and senior politicians joined the protest march from Delhi's Mandi House. CPI(M) leaders Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Prakash Karat, and Brinda Karat, LJD leader Sharad Yadav, RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha, and Congress leader Kiran Walia were present.
Students decided to meet President after 'unsatisfactory' MHRD meeting
Initially, the students planned to go to the HRD Ministry office to submit a memorandum regarding the mob attack and violence on the JNU campus and their demand for Vice-Chancellor Kumar's resignation. However, after the meeting with HRD Ministry officials ended on an "unsatisfactory" note, the protesting students led by Ghosh decided to go to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet President Ram Nath Kovind.
Protesting students started shouting slogans against Delhi Police
However, the police refused to allow the protest march towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan following which the students started shouting slogans against the Delhi Police. The police then detained some students and took them to the Connaught Place police station. In some video clips that emerged on social media, students shouting slogans could be seen being dragged and packed into buses by the cops.
JNU V-C's removal is not a solution: HRD Ministry Secretary
The government has refused to remove JNU Vice-Chancellor Kumar after the HRD Ministry's meeting with Ghosh and other JNUSU members. "The JNU V-C's removal is not a solution. The Ministry's focus is on academic issues, not on political matters," said HRD Ministry Secretary Amit Khare. However, Khare added that Ministry officials will meet JNUSU members after meeting with Kumar on Friday.
In no position to compromise with HRD Ministry: Ghosh
"We are in no position to compromise with the HRD Ministry. It's still thinking whether the V-C should be removed," said JNUSU President Ghosh. The JNUSU is seeking the removal of Vice-Chancellor Kumar due to his inaction on the January 5 JNU campus violence.
