New Delhi, February 26: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) has called for a second march in response to the arrest of over 50 students after a protest against the Vice-Chancellor (VC) turned into a standoff with the police. The march is set to take place tonight, starting from the JNU Main Gate and heading towards the Vasant Kunj Police Station. The Union has urged students to participate in large numbers.

“We urge all JNU students to join the movement and ensure a complete lockdown from tonight. Gather at the Main Gate and we will march to Vasant Kunj Police Station,” JNUSU announced.

In a statement, JNUSU condemned what it described as police brutality during the protest march, which was intended to push for the implementation of the Rohith Act and the resignation of the VC. The Union also alleged that students who were injured in the clashes were denied medical assistance.

“Today, JNUSU had organized a march to the Ministry of Education, demanding the enforcement of the Rohith Act and the resignation of the current VC, who is accused of corruption and making casteist remarks,” the statement read. “When the students reached the campus gate, the police and paramilitary forces locked it with chains and set up multiple layers of barricades. After students managed to force open the gates, the police detained over 50 of them and took them to undisclosed locations. Several students sustained injuries, but the police denied them medical help.”

On the other hand, the university administration has accused JNUSU of engaging in violence and vandalism. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the university criticized the Union for not addressing the issue of vandalism tied to the rustication of certain students.

“JNUSU protestors are demanding the implementation of UGC regulations, which is in violation of the Supreme Court’s stay on those regulations. Neither the Vice Chancellor nor the Registrar have the authority over these rules,” the post read. “JNUSU has refused to address the core issue of their rustication, which stems from vandalism and violence on campus. The students involved were held accountable after a proctorial inquiry.”

The university also defended the VC, emphasizing her status as a woman of OBC (Other Backward Class) background and rejecting the allegations against her as part of a diversionary tactic.

“It is unacceptable that a woman OBC Vice Chancellor is being targeted with false allegations to deflect attention from the violence and vandalism that occurred on campus,” the post concluded.

The confrontation between student protestors and the police began after JNUSU organized a demonstration against Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit. The protestors were detained after a clash with the police, who had locked the university gates and blocked their path with barricades.