Delhi Police detained several protesters who were marching towards Rashtrapati Bhavan demanding removal of the Jawaharlal Nehru University's Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar following the incident of violence in the campus on January 5. The protesters which included students and teachers were detained near Ambedkar Bhawan. The police also resorted to baton charge to control the mob who tried to block the traffic at Janpath. Using loud speakers, the police also appealed to the crowd to maintain peace.
Police later alleged JNU student leaders 'provoked' fellow protesters to move towards the Rashtraparti Bhavan which escalated tensions. They also stopped normal traffic at Rajendra Prasad Road, the police added. Additional PRO of the Delhi Police Anil Mittal said a group of JNU students and teachers marched from Mandi House to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Shastri Bhawan via Rajendra Prasad Road.
In the process, 11 people were detained by the police and subsequently released, he added.
"The gathering remained peaceful till they remained in meeting. However, when the delegation came out after the meeting, one of the student leaders provoked the gathering to move towards Rashtrapati Bhawan. They were prevented from doing so," Mittal said.
Earlier, a delegation of JNU Students' Union and JNU Teachers' Association met Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry officials and demanded removal of Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar from his post. However, they failed to reach a compromise as students did not back down from their demand of removal of the Vice-Chancellor.
After the talks, JNUSU chief Aishe Ghosh said they were in no position to compromise with HRD ministry as it was still thinking whether VC should be removed. "We appealed to HRD ministry to remove VC, they told us by tomorrow we will have dialogue," said Ghosh.
HRD Secretary Amit Khare, on the other hand, said JNU VC's removal was not a solution.
"Whatever has happened in last few days is extremely sad. Students have a list of grievances. The teachers also have grievances against administration, we are trying to resolve all of them," he added.
"I have called the Jawaharlal Nehru University VC and team tomorrow morning. I have also offered the students that I will be meeting them again tomorrow regarding their demands. Such incidents should not re-occur," Khare said.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University has formed a five-member committee to probe the January 5 violence on the campus that had left around 35 people injured, and recommend measures to ensure safety of students, Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar said on Thursday. The panel will also probe lapses, if any, in security, Kumar told PTI.
"We have formed a five-member panel which will work in association with our internal security committee. The panel will also look into lapses, if any and recommend measures to ensure safety of students on campus.
"Identifying weaker security areas, ensuring installation of CCTVs and other measures to increase students safety, will be the areas, the committee will also look into," Kumar said.
A group of masked men armed with sticks and rods attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus on January 5, prompting the university administration to call in the police.
At least 35 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured in the violence. They were admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre and discharged on Monday.
(With PTI Inputs)
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