JNU: Delhi police detains 28 students, including JNUSU president; protest turns confrontational

NEW DELHI: At least 28 of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), including student union (JNUSU) president Nitesh Kumar, were detained on Saturday evening after a protest outside the campus turned confrontational, Delhi Police said.

According to the police, around 70–80 students, including women, gathered near the university’s West Gate around 6 pm. Barricades had been placed to restrict their movement towards Nelson Mandela Marg.




“Despite repeated requests, the students forcefully pushed through and broke the barricades, manhandled police personnel, used abusive language, and came onto Nelson Mandela Marg, leading to temporary obstruction of traffic,” the police said in a statement quoted by ANI.

To prevent escalation, police detained 28 students — 19 men and 9 women — including JNUSU president Nitesh Kumar, vice president Manisha, and general secretary Muntia Fatima.



During the incident, six police personnel — four men and two women — sustained injuries and were sent for medical examination. “Appropriate legal action is being initiated as per law,” the statement added.

Students, however, alleged that the police used unnecessary force to disperse what they called a peaceful demonstration. Several JNU student groups criticised the detentions, and said that authorities were trying to suppress dissent on campus.



The JNU is gearing up for its students' union elections, likely to be held in November.
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