The ABVP also alleged that objectionable graffiti had been made alongside a picture of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
A fresh political row has erupted at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) over alleged political graffiti on campus, with the ABVP accusing Left-backed student groups of trying to disturb the university’s academic environment.
The ABVP’s JNU unit claimed that graffiti carrying slogans including “FREE UMAR KHALID” and “LONG LIVE NAXALBARI” had appeared on campus walls and public spaces. The student organisation described the graffiti as provocative and alleged that members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) were behind some of the writings.
The ABVP also alleged that objectionable graffiti had been made alongside a picture of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It said the incidents reflected an attempt to turn political differences on campus into confrontation rather than democratic debate.
In its statement issued on October 24, the ABVP also linked the alleged graffiti to public statements made in support of Umar Khalid. It alleged that AISA national president Neha Bora had raised slogans in Khalid’s support at public platforms and claimed that such statements had encouraged supporters to put similar slogans on JNU walls.
The student organisation also criticised Left student groups and the Left-backed Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU). It alleged that instead of focusing on issues concerning students, these groups were promoting slogans such as “FREE UMAR KHALID” and “LONG LIVE NAXALBARI”.
The ABVP said Umar Khalid is in judicial custody in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. It questioned the use of his name in political slogans on university walls and also alleged that the graffiti alongside Savarkar’s image amounted to disrespect towards a historical figure.
The organisation said JNU should remain a space for political debate and the exchange of different ideological views. At the same time, it argued that freedom of expression should not extend to defacing public property, making objectionable political graffiti or glorifying violent and extremist political symbols.
ABVP JNU president Mayank Panchal said, “Freedom of thought at JNU does not mean that any ideology should be given the liberty to behave disrespectfully towards other views and national figures. Writing objectionable messages alongside the image of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar and putting aggressive political slogans on campus walls is not freedom of expression, but an attempt to pollute the university environment. The student community of JNU will not accept such anarchic and divisive politics. We demand that the university administration take note of such incidents, identify those responsible and take necessary action to maintain the dignity of JNU’s academic environment.”
ABVP JNU minister Praveen Piyush also accused Left organisations of attempting to create unrest on the campus.
