A “night of terror” gripped the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus in Delhi as violent clashes erupted between rival student factions late Sunday evening, leaving several students injured and the university community in a state of shock. The confrontation, which reportedly began over disputes regarding campus space and ideological differences, quickly escalated into a full-blown riot involving sticks, stones, and physical brawls. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene where masked individuals allegedly entered hostel premises, targeting specific students and damaging university property, while security personnel struggled to contain the surging crowds. As news of the violence spread, panicked students barricaded themselves inside their rooms, and social media was flooded with frantic calls for help and videos showing bloodied students and shattered glass across the campus grounds.
The Delhi Police were eventually called in to restore order, conducting a flag march through the university to disperse the mob and securing the entry and exit gates to prevent outsiders from entering. According to official reports, at least a dozen students were rushed to nearby hospitals, including AIIMS and Safdarjung, with head injuries and fractures, though most are currently reported to be in stable condition. Both the Left-wing student organizations and the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) have traded accusations, each blaming the other for instigating the violence and using “goons” to intimidate political opponents. While the university administration has issued a stern statement condemning the violence and promising an internal inquiry, students and faculty members have criticized the perceived delay in security response, citing a breakdown in campus safety protocols.
In the aftermath of the clash, a heavy police presence remains stationed outside the JNU gates to prevent further flare-ups, and the administration has temporarily restricted movement within the campus during night hours. This latest incident adds to a long history of political volatility at the premier institution, reigniting intense debates over the safety of students and the growing polarization within academic spaces in India. Education Ministry officials have sought a detailed report from the Vice-Chancellor regarding the lapses that led to the midnight brawl. As of Monday morning, the atmosphere remains tense but quiet, with students organizing peace marches to demand the arrest of those involved, while the Delhi Police have registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against unidentified individuals for rioting and assault
