Last Updated:February 27, 2026, 08:29 IST

Police said around 25 personnel were injured, including ACP Ved Prakash, ACP Sanghamitra, SHO Atul Tyagi and SHO Ajai Yadav.

According to the police, around 400–500 students gathered on campus for a “Long March” to the Ministry of Education. (ANI)

JNU Protests: Several students and police personnel were injured after they clashed during a march by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) at the campus gate on Thursday, with both sides accusing each other of assault.

Cops claimed that they were assaulted, but the protesters, many of whom have been detained, alleged that the police used excessive force against them. An FIR has been registered, police said.

According to the police, 14 people have been arrested so far in the case, including JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) president Aditi Mishra, former president Nitish Kumar, JNUSU vice president Gopika Babu, and the union’s joint secretary ⁠Danish Ali.

What’s The Row?

According to Delhi Police, around 400–500 students gathered on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University and attempted to take out a “Long March” from the university to the Ministry of Education over issues including UGC regulations, rustication of JNUSU office-bearers and remarks by Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, despite being denied permission for any protest outside campus.

Police said the situation escalated around 3.20 pm when students moved out through the main gate and tried to proceed towards the ministry. Barricades placed outside the campus were allegedly damaged during the scuffle.

It further said that the student protestors turned violent and “pelted banners and sticks, threw shoes, and even bit the personnel.” Around 25 police personnel, including ACP Ved Prakash, ACP Sanghamitra, SHO Atul Tyagi and SHO Ajai Yadav, were injured in the clashes.

“During the protest, barricades were damaged, and the demonstration turned violent. Protestors pelted banners and sticks, threw shoes, and even physically assaulted Delhi Police personnel, including biting. As a result, several police personnel were injured. The protestors were stopped and contained at the North Gate of the JNU campus and were gradually moved back inside. Those who became violent and did not obey lawful orders were detained. Further details will be shared in due course,” Delhi Police said in a statement, as reported by news agency ANI.

Police have registered an FIR against the students under BNS sections 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public function), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 3(5) (common intentions) at Vasant Kunj North police station.

Students Allege Excessive Force

Meanwhile, protesting students alleged that excessive force was used against them due to which many students were injured.

The students’ union claimed that police locked the university’s main gate with chains and multiple barricades. According to the union, more than 50 students were detained and taken to “undisclosed locations,” and several injured students were denied medical assistance.

The JNUSU also alleged that a portrait of B R Ambedkar was damaged during the police action. Purported videos of the clash surfaced online, including one showing an Ambedkar photo snatched from the protesters. PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association condemned what it described as a “brutal use of force” and demanded the immediate release of all detained students.

The association alleged that police action was aimed at preventing students from exercising their democratic right to march. It alleged that several students, including women, were injured and expressed concern over the well-being of those detained, claiming some were taken to “unconfirmed locations”.

JNUTA also alleged that the police action was aimed at preventing students from exercising their democratic right to march and demanded the immediate release of all detained students.

What JNU Said?

The march was part of ongoing protests against JNU Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit over her recent remarks on a podcast regarding University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, the rustication of student union office bearers, and demands for the proposed Rohith Act.

“JNUSU protestors are demanding UGC regulations to be implemented. This is in violation of the Honorable Supreme Court which issued a stay on the regulations. JNU Vice Chancellor or Registrar have no powers over the regulations.” It added that as per the university administration, JNUSU has “refused to address the core issue of students who were rusticated for “vandalism and violence” unleashed inside the campus.

“The students involved were held responsible and rusticated, following a proctorial inquiry,” read the statement.

In its statement, the university administration said that JNUSU’s demands to implement certain UGC regulations violate a stay order issued by the Supreme Court. It also stated that students had been rusticated following a proctorial inquiry into alleged vandalism and violence on campus.

The university described JNU as a public institution accountable to the government and taxpayers, and criticised what it termed “false allegations” against the Vice Chancellor.

Second March Announced

Following the detentions, JNUSU called for a “complete lockdown” on campus and announced a second march from the JNU Main Gate to Vasant Kunj Police Station later in the evening, urging students to gather in large numbers.

Police maintained that officers were only performing their duty to maintain law and order and denied allegations of manhandling protesters.

(With inputs from agencies)

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