ABVP, Left Student Groups Clash at JNU Over Alleged Remarks on UP and Bihar Students

The violence reportedly began after alleged derogatory remarks were made about students from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during a General Body Meeting (GBM).

The incident took place at the School of Social Sciences during a GBM held on October 15 to discuss the formation of the JNU Election Commission, which oversees student union polls. What started as verbal arguments between Left-affiliated student organisations and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) soon turned into physical clashes.

According to the ABVP, the fight erupted after a Left councillor made insulting comments about students from UP and Bihar. In response, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Association (AISA) accused the ABVP of disrupting the meeting and attacking Left-wing activists.

“The ABVP resorted to violence when they failed to get their way during the meeting. Several of our members, including women students, were injured,” said an SFI leader.

The ABVP, however, denied the allegations, claiming that violence broke out only after Left members made regional slurs. “We condemn the violence but will not tolerate such remarks,” the group said.

ABVP councillor Abhishek Rai claimed that while reports were being read during the GBM, a Left councillor commented that students from UP and Bihar “do not deserve to be in this university and should go elsewhere.” He said the remark angered many students, who demanded an apology and a condemnation from the chair. “When both refused, chaos broke out. Left-wing cadres attacked female students and others, and even the JNU president reportedly led the assault,” Rai alleged. He added that ABVP students were beaten with sticks and that chairs were thrown, leading to head and back injuries.

Meanwhile, Left leader Alok accused ABVP members of climbing the stage and deliberately trying to disrupt the meeting. Dismissing ABVP’s version, the SFI leader said, “Instead of addressing real issues like JNU’s fund cuts and poor hostel conditions, the ABVP is trying to create unrest and working with the administration to damage the campus environment.”

University sources said students from both sides, including several women, were injured and taken to Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS for treatment. Police were later called to the campus to control the situation, and officers remained there through the night. So far, neither group has filed a formal complaint.

Eyewitnesses said the clash began late in the afternoon and quickly escalated. “It started with shouting and pushing, but soon turned violent. Things got out of control before authorities could step in,” said a student who was present at the GBM.

The JNU Students’ Union election is scheduled for the first week of November. The election process, known for sharp ideological clashes between the Left alliance and the ABVP, has often seen heated confrontations in the past.

As of Thursday morning, the campus remained tense but under control. Police in plain clothes have been deployed at key locations to prevent further unrest. Both the ABVP and Left groups have announced separate press conferences to share their versions of the incident, while university authorities are expected to review reports from both sides before taking disciplinary action.