‘Free Umar Khalid’, ‘Long Live Naxalbari’: ABVP Seeks Action Over Political Graffiti on JNU Walls

T ensions have continued across university campuses in Delhi, with Jamia Millia Islamia shifting classes online amid student protests and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) demanding action over alleged political graffiti at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

At Jamia, protests demanding the restoration of the students’ union escalated into a confrontation between students and security personnel, prompting the administration to move classes online until further notice. The agitation, which began on October 12, has included a hunger strike by five students demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU), the removal of the university’s chief proctor and the withdrawal of disciplinary action against protesting students.

The protesters have also sought a clear timeline for holding union elections. Student activists alleged that security personnel assaulted protesters and removed their tents, while the university maintained that efforts to persuade the students to end the agitation and restore normalcy had failed.

Meanwhile, at JNU, the ABVP has alleged that slogans including “Free Umar Khalid” and “Long Live Naxalbari” were painted on campus walls. It also claimed that objectionable remarks had been written alongside a portrait of V D Savarkar, demanding that the administration identify those responsible and initiate appropriate action.

ABVP JNU president Mayank Panchal said freedom of expression should not be used to disrespect opposing viewpoints or national figures. ABVP JNU secretary Praveen Piyush also accused Left-wing student organisations of attempting to disrupt the campus environment.

The organisation further criticised slogans supporting Umar Khalid, who has been in jail since September 2020 in connection with the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 north-east Delhi riots.

Separately, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA) have been involved in protests against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. However, no fresh CJP-led street protest was independently confirmed for Sunday.