New Delhi: A controversy erupted at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Thursday during the screening of ‘The Sabarmati Report’, a film based on the 2002 Godhra train burning. The event, organised by ABVP, was disrupted when unidentified people allegedly threw stones at the audience, injuring some people.
Rajeshwar Kant Dubey, president of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad-JNU, said they organised the screening at 5pm. “There was an attempt to create a disruptive atmosphere on the campus to stop the screening. And who were these people? They were from a leftist organisation, who, through pamphlets or by spreading rumours on WhatsApp, tried to obstruct the screening,” he alleged.
However, by 5pm, thousands of students gathered to watch the movie, Dubey said. To disrupt the screening, some students started throwing stones at the audience and a few people sustained minor injuries, he claimed.
Shikha Swaraj, ABVP-JNU secretary, said some posters that were put up regarding the screening were earlier torn down. “The people sitting at the front were hit by stones. Stone pelting happened thrice,” she claimed.
Police said they had not received any complaint regarding the incident.
Dhananjay, president of JNUSU who is a member of the leftist AISA, alleged ABVP members themselves were involved in the attack. “Their agenda is completely anti-student. They are the ones who always prepare for such disruptions. They don’t want poor students to be able to study. So, they orchestrated this attack on themselves,” he claimed.
