New Delhi, Feb 23 (NationPress) Following the reported assault on ABVP students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Vinod Jakhar, the National President of NSUI, asserted on Monday that the RSS-affiliated student wing has fostered an atmosphere on campus that allows it to operate without accountability.

The NSUI leader expressed his condemnation of the violence and extended support to those injured.

These comments emerged after unrest erupted on JNU's campus early Monday morning, where a protest rally escalated into a confrontation. Students from different ideological factions accused one another of inciting the violence.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) had organized an "Equality March" to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit over her alleged "casteist" remarks made during a podcast on February 16. The union also voiced its concerns over her statements regarding UGC regulations, Dalits, and affirmative action. Furthermore, they called for the revocation of rustication orders against four student leaders linked to previous protests.

Protesters claimed that the university administration failed to engage with their march, instead permitting members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to confront them. In contrast, the ABVP dismissed these claims and accused Left-leaning organizations of inciting violence and spreading falsehoods.

In an interview with IANS, Jakhar stated: "ABVP enjoys complete protection on campus and has established a dictatorship-like environment. Across campuses nationwide, ABVP acts with total impunity. The Vice-Chancellor is under their influence, as are the faculty members."

"They foster an atmosphere where they can act freely without restraint. I denounce this violence and stand in solidarity with the injured. There should be no culture of violence on campus. I oppose it, and the NSUI will take stronger measures to ensure this," he added.

Regarding a recent meeting with senior party figure Rahul Gandhi, Jakhar commented: "Rahul Gandhi offered his blessings and motivated me to strive diligently. He emphasized that my new responsibilities are a result of my efforts, and I should execute them through my work."

Jakhar was recently appointed as the President of NSUI by Gandhi. Previously, he served as the state President of the Rajasthan University Students’ Union (RUSU) for two years and became the first Dalit president of RUSU in 2018 after running as an independent candidate.