The barbaric attack on students and teachers at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus in Delhi comes as a blot on Indian society and reflects a complete failure of the system in securing our temples of learning. We, as a nation, should hang our heads in shame because ‘goondaism’ has gone freewheeling inside one of India’s premier educational institutes.
Brute muscle power and violence is used to stifle student voices. JNU has a history of producing some of India’s brightest personalities and leaders. It’s a campus where activism and leadership have always gone hand in hand. It’s a campus known for fierce debates, healthy discussions and critical viewpoints within the parameters of fair democracy. It’s a campus where student voices are heard and respected. This unprecedented violence has not only ruptured peace but has violated the fundamental right of free expression. And in the process, it has thrown a huge question mark on student security.
The ghastly incident is a testimony of the fact that student activism is now dealt with muscle-flexing political goondaism. Political agendas cannot be achieved by violence of this kind. This scale of brutality cannot be possible without the tacit support of the system. This is where the internal security, police and the JNU administration come into sharp focus.
The violence extended to nearly two hours (check this timing of 2 hours) with students and teachers screaming for help. It’s a sad irony that the campus security, and police force which came in after a critical delay, stood as silent bystanders. Moreover, constant vilification and intimidation were happening in the background since Friday giving enough indications that the situation was moving out of control. What stopped the police leadership from stepping up security?
The horrifying and ruthless assault cannot be brushed aside lightly. Nearly 24 hours later, the police are still gathering clues but are yet to make any arrests, and the blame-game continues to shift between ABVP and JNUSU wings. Video footages have surfaced showing some with lathis near the complex. But again the police are yet to take anyone into custody.
Accountability of police officers needs to be fixed and stern action taken. Police arrived at the site after a SOS but claimed that the VC did not give permission to enter the premises. The question here is why police should wait for written permission from the VC when there is violence happening right in front of them? The vice-chancellor, too, cannot be absolved of his responsibility. Sensing a volatile situation, the VC should have moved swiftly to pre-empt any violence.
Goondaism in college campuses should be dealt with firmly. Violence cannot be used to take students out of any political engagement in a democratic setup. The sanctity of JNU campus has been breached, and the scars of this terror will take a long time to heal.
