JNU protest turns violent, student groups accuse each other of attacks

JNUSU, ABVP and AISA traded allegations as campus tensions escalated

February 23, 2026

JNU Protest Turns Violent: JNUSU, ABVP Accuse Each Other After Late-Night Clashes

Left and Right student organisations trade allegations after late-night clashes on campus

Tensions escalated at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in the early hours of Monday after student groups aligned with the Left and Right accused each other of instigating violence during a protest march.

According to students, the incident occurred around 1.30 am when clashes reportedly broke out during a march towards the East Gate. Several students were allegedly injured in stone-pelting and scuffles that followed.

‘Samta Juloos’ and demands

In a statement, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) said it had organised a “Samta Juloos” demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the revocation of a rustication order issued against a student.

Protesters alleged that the university administration did not engage with the march and instead allowed members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to confront them.

ABVP denies charges

ABVP, however, rejected the allegations and accused Left-backed organisations of provoking clashes and spreading misinformation regarding the sequence of events.

Left-affiliated groups, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA), claimed that ABVP activists threw stones at the JNUSU encampment and attacked “unarmed students,” resulting in multiple injuries.

Videos show chaotic scenes

Videos circulated by students on social media appeared to show scenes of chaos and confusion near the protest site, with rival groups clashing amid shouting and stone-pelting.

STORY | JNU protest turns violent; JNUSU, ABVP accuse each other of attacks
Tensions flared on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after student groups aligned with the Left and Right accused each other of unleashing violence during a protest march in early hours of… pic.twitter.com/CST0T0uFkf
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 23, 2026

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries on the incident.

Students said the situation on campus remained tense as of Monday morning, with calls for accountability and clarity over what triggered the violence.

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