NCW orders probe into police lathicharge at JNU protest march

The National Commission for Women has ordered a probe into alleged manhandling of JNU students and a woman journalist during a protest march here.

A large number of JNU students and teachers were yesterday stopped from marching to the Parliament Complex over various demands, including academic freedom, with police resorting to lathicharge and use of water canons.

"We have ordered a probe and sent a team today to meet the police officials and we will further pursue the matter on Monday," NCW Acting Chairperson Rekha Sharma said.

The protesting students had claimed that the "attack" by the police was "unprovoked", with a woman journalist alleging that a man in uniform "groped" her and asked her to vacate the place.

"A completely peaceful march by JNU teachers and students was greeted by water cannons and then lathi charge by the Delhi Police. Several students, including female students, were beaten and bundled into a bus and were taken to the Defence Colony police station," said JNU professor and former JNUTA president Ayesha Kidwai. As many as 23 students were detained, the police confirmed. They were later released following a medical examination.

The "Padyatra", which started at the varsity's campus, was organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) and the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA).

A video of police thrashing a female photographer even as she kept telling them that she was from the media also went viral on the social media.

The associations are demanding academic freedom, and accessible and equitable education.

The teachers' body had requested other associations to join the protest march.

Their other demands include withdrawal of the executive council decision to constitute a committee to take action against teachers and the immediate withdrawal of notifications replacing chairpersons who were opposed to implementing compulsory attendance.