JNU Students Take to the Streets: Clashes with Police Over Scholarship Demands

JNU students' union members marched towards the Ministry of Education to press for increased scholarships but were stopped by police just outside their campus. Clashes erupted as students attempted to break barricades. The march, part of a hunger strike, demands more scholarships, a caste census, and lifting of protest bans.

On Friday, members of the JNU students' union conducted a march towards the Ministry of Education, demanding an increase in scholarship amounts. Their progress was halted by police just beyond their campus.

Heavy police deployment with multiple layers of barricading was in place, preventing students from stepping beyond campus limits. Despite a brief march outside the campus, students faced resistance from police, leading to clashes as they tried to breach the barriers. Prior to the march, police officials had stated that the demonstration would not be permitted beyond the campus, with buses on standby to detain any students attempting to proceed further.

The march is part of a larger protest movement, including a hunger strike that has now entered its 13th day. Students are also demanding a caste census, lifting bans on campus protests, and the withdrawal of proctorial inquiries against protest participants. Notably, JNUSU's General Secretary Priyanshi Arya has distanced herself from the protest, while the RSS-affiliated ABVP has chosen not to participate.

(With inputs from agencies.)