New Delhi, Feb 27 (NationPress) The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) has declared a total university strike in response to the detention of 13 students, including three office-bearers, during a demonstration aimed at the Ministry of Education (MoE).

The union alleges that numerous students were severely assaulted and injured during the protest and claims that a portrait of Babasaheb Ambedkar was vandalized amid police intervention. The detained students were presented in court as the Delhi Police seeks judicial custody.

In their statement, JNUSU demands the immediate and unconditional release of all 13 students and office-bearers. They also called for the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor due to alleged casteist comments, accusing her of negligence and complicity in protecting students.

Additionally, the union is demanding accountability and action against police personnel allegedly involved in the desecration of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's portrait and is calling for the withdrawal of all proctorial actions and FIRs against student activists.

With slogans like “Free Our Comrades Now” and “Long Live Student Unity,” the union aims to escalate its protest efforts on campus.

The arrested students include Nitish Kumar, Aditi Mishra, Gopika Babu, and Danish Ali. Aditi Mishra serves as the JNUSU president, Nitish Kumar is a former president, Gopika Babu is the secretary, and Danish Ali is the general secretary.

The conflict erupted on Thursday when students sought to embark on a “Long March” from the JNU campus to the Ministry of Education. According to police reports, the march was organized without the necessary permissions to move beyond campus boundaries. The JNU administration had allegedly informed students that no approval was granted for protests outside university grounds and advised them to keep their demonstration within campus limits.

Despite this, police reported that approximately 400-500 students gathered and commenced marching. At around 3:20 p.m., the protesters moved through the main gate, attempting to head towards the ministry, which led to a confrontation between students and police.

Police officials allege that protesters resorted to throwing sticks and shoes and physically assaulted officers, resulting in injuries to several. Some officers reportedly sustained bites during the skirmish. Conversely, students claim that the police used excessive force, leading to injuries among numerous protesters.

JNUSU asserts that a portrait of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was damaged during the police action. Videos purportedly showing the clash surfaced online, including one depicting an Ambedkar portrait being forcibly taken from protesters. However, the authenticity of these videos remains unverified.

This protest march is part of ongoing demonstrations against JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit's recent statements on a podcast concerning the implementation of University Grants Commission (UGC) norms, the expulsion of JNUSU office-bearers, and the proposed Rohith Act.

In a statement, the JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) condemned what it referred to as the “brutal use of force” by the police. It claimed that multiple students, including women, were injured and expressed concern for the welfare of those detained, alleging that some were taken to “unconfirmed locations.”

JNUTA called for the immediate release of all detained students and asserted that police actions infringed upon students’ democratic rights to protest.

Meanwhile, the university administration released an official statement claiming that JNUSU protesters were demanding the implementation of UGC regulations, despite a Supreme Court stay. They stated that the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar hold no authority over these regulations and accused JNUSU of neglecting issues concerning students who were expelled for alleged “vandalism and violence” on campus.