JNU Students Clash Over Non-Veg Food During Ram Navami, 6 Injured

As many as six persons were injured when a scuffle broke out between two student groups allegedly over eating non-vegetarian food on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus in the national capital on Sunday.

While a student union says some ABVP members allegedly tried to stop non-vegetarian food from being cooked, the ABVP claims that 'Left' students tried to disrupt Ram Navami pooja.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Sunday protested at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, demanding that non-vegetarian food should not be prepared in the mess on the occasion of Ram Navami.

The ABVP also accused the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Left-backed students of preventing them from worshipping on Ram Navami. "Left and NSUI workers created a ruckus during pooja in the university on the occasion of Ram Navami. There is no angle of non-veg. They have a problem with programs on the occasion of Ram Navami," said Rohit Kumar, ABVP's JNU wing president.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police officials have reached the spot to find out details about the situation. "Presently the situation is peaceful. Both the student parties are protesting peacefully. Appropriate legal action will be taken on receipt of the complaint. The situation is peaceful", said DCP South West Manoj C.

"Six persons have been injured. They received minor injuries and have been moved to a nearby hospital for treatment," he said.

A JNU student, Sarika told ANI, "I was the former vice-president of JNUSU. In the afternoon today, a message went viral on social media that ABVP members are not allowing non-veg food inside the campus. The mess usually prepares non-veg food items on weekends. However, ABVP members did not let this food to be prepared."

"Following this, a clash broke out between student unions inside the campus. Many hostel students did not get food on time as food was not prepared in adequate quantity," she said.

Another JNU student said, "A clash occurred around 4-5 pm today. ABVP alleged that their religious sentiments will be hurt if non-veg food will be served on the occasion of Ram Navami."

Reportedly, a number of protestors have been injured and have been shifted to nearby hospitals. A few students are still protesting in the vicinity of the campus.

A week ago, on April 5, South Delhi Mayor Mukesh Suryan said there was "no need to open meat shops" during Navratri claiming that "most people do not consume non-vegetarian food" during this period. Notably, the JNU campus falls under the jurisdiction of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation.

(With Inputs from ANI)

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