JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh names profs who 'threatened students'

A day after masked goons unleashed violence on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, its Students Union president Aishe Ghosh on Monday (January 6) accused three professors — Aswini Kumar Mohapatra, Pravesh Kumar, and Mazhar Asif — of singling out students and threatening them.

Speaking to NDTV, Ghosh, who was discharged from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Monday morning, said some professors in the varsity’s School of International Studies had threatened the students saying ‘dekh lenge tumlogo ko.’

“Day before yesterday, I visited our School (of International Studies) where a strike was underway and the students and professors were engaged in a heated argument. The professors, who call themselves JNUTF, threatened us saying ‘dekh lenge tumlogo ko’,” alleged Ghosh on Monday.

Also read | 100-odd masked goons unleash terror on JNU students, teachers

“Professors like Aswini Kumar Mohapatra, Pravesh Kumar, and Mazhar Asif were singling out students and targeting them. There were complaints from students as well that they are being threatened,” she said.

The JNUSU president also accused the police of inaction despite being informed of the situation. She said she had messaged police officers informing them of a ‘large gathering of unknown persons with weapons’ on the campus.

“Around 2:30 p.m., some students complained to me that those coming from the admin block towards the library were being singled out by ABVP activists. They snatched mobile phones from some students. Some were slapped.

“On receiving such reports, I messaged the SHO of Vasant Kunj police station, the sub inspector, and the assistant commissioner of police. I clearly told them we are not feeling safe. On behalf of JNUSU, I told them a large number of students and a group of unknown persons have gathered with weapons and sticks,” claimed Ghosh.

Also read | From Oxford to Pondicherry, students unite to protest against JNU violence

However, despite being informed, she said the police did not intervene or take any action. “There was no intervention on behalf of the police. We want to know how outsiders came inside through the campus’ main gate. Where did these people get the weapons from?” she said.

Ghosh reiterated that masked goons had attacked her with an iron rod on the fateful evening of Sunday, which left her profusely bleeding. She told NDTV the incident unfolded within 10 minutes after she addressed a gathering at a peaceful march organised by the JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA).

“I told the gathering near Sabarmati T point that there have been reports of violence inside the campus. The violence unfolded within 10 minutes. I was hit by an iron rod. The way I was bleeding it would have been a huge blood loss if the students hadn’t arrived and managed put me on an ambulance. We had no idea where these people came from,” she said.

Ghosh was immediately rushed to AIIMS with grievous head injuries. She said she received 15 stitches in two places on the head.

Referring to some screenshots from group chats that are being circulated on WhatsApp, which claimed the violence was well planned by the right wing activists, the JNUSU president said, “People in those group chats were discussing which gate they will enter from and that ‘VC humara hai’ (the vice-chancellor is ours).”

“This clearly shows the VC is incompetent to hold any position in this university and he should immediately resign, considering he has failed this university. This law and order issue has happened because of him and he should immediately take responsibility. The HRD ministry should remove him,” she said.

Also read | JNUSU, JNUTA blame VC for violence, demand his removal