During and ever since the JNU March on Friday video after video has been uploaded online that proves the unnecessary violence meted out to the students. After a video of cops stripping and beating up a woman journalist surfaced, the Delhi police were finally forced to issue an apology. But it was hardly an apology because they claimed that "they mistook the journalist to be a protestor" making students question if it was okay to molest a female protestor. Hundreds of students continue to remain shaken by the events that unfolded on Friday.
What is truly ironic is that the police have now filed a case of rioting against the students despite the fact that students had informed the police about the march and had made all arrangements to proceed in a hassle-free manner. "JNU Student Council had also shared the route map and all the other details of the march with the police. The route was also widely shared by media organisations and journalist too, who themselves recorded the disciplined and peaceful march to the parliament. Not just this, a large number of student volunteers were engaged to ensure smooth passage for vehicles," said members of the JNUSU in a statement on Sunday.
Several videos show the students were marching peacefully-
The students also said that it was evident that the police had pre-planned to bring in water cannons, "We had walked for almost eight kilometres in absolute peace and discipline and then suddenly we were stopped with barricades and the police opened the water cannons on peacefully gathered students. This caused a huge stampede and chaos resulting in multiple injuries to numerous students. What ensued next was extreme brutality and inhumane treatment, even students who were sitting were mercilessly dragged and beaten. Male police officers selectively targetted women protestors, manhandling, groping, tearing clothes and molesting them," the Union stated.
The Delhi police have still not stopped their "hunt" for protestors. ABVP members are allegedly sending the Delhi police the identities of the protestors by recognising them from the videos. The students accused the government of orchestrating the attack on them during the march," We know how on the basis of doctored videos Delhi police arrested then JNUSU President on fake 'sedition' charges. The same tactic was used in Ramjas incident to target students and teachers who had relentlessly been raising issues of hostel crisis, quality of education and safety of women students. Now in a clear-cut move to shield its own protege Atul Johri, Modi government is again using Delhi Police to file false and fabricated cases against JNU students and teachers. "
The JNU Teachers Union members are currently helping students document their experiences and are hoping to file FIRs against the police.
