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Is JNU turning into

a war zone?

The JNU incident of January 5 not only left many students traumatised but many locals who live close

to the campus were equally terrified, reports shamshad ali

n January 5, the Jawaharlal Nehru University hit found condemnations. The fact that a violent mob went on
headlines again when a mob of masked goons rampage in full presence of police and that too in the heart of
wreaked havoc inside the country’s prestigious the capital city caused profound consternation amongst those
educational institution. The mob ransacked hos- who believe in a secular and democratic India. The protests by
O tels, beat up students and professors, sparing students this year are entirely different. In 2016, it was seen as
none in their their way. The attack that left several students, a political stunt to sideline BJP but in 2019, the unprecedented
including the JNU students union president Aishe Ghosh seri- controversies have encouraged the student community to
ously injured, lasted for around 2 hours. reclaim its space on the streets.
The terror unleashed by right-wing mob sent shockwaves Rather than charging the goons for horrific violence, the
across the country, with leading public figures issuing pro- Delhi Police named Aishe Ghosh and 19 others, including stu-

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