NSUI accuses Centre of ‘differential treatment’ in handling JNU

Accusing the BJP-led government of “differential treatment” in handling of controversies at JNU and NIT, Srinagar, scores of Congress’ student wing activists on Saturday tried to march to the office of the HRD Ministry here.

National Students Union of India (NSUI) activists, however, were detained midway and taken to Parliament Street police station.

“We want to ask the HRD Minister why such differential treatment in handling the two controversies? While they were superbly active in ensuring the students at JNU are taken to task for their so-called anti-national moves, the government did not ensure security to the national elements in NIT, Srinagar,” said Vivekanand Pathak, NSUI National Secretary.

“There are over 1,000 students who have left the campus and are skipping the exams. What is the government doing about the sense of insecurity that is prevailing on campus? All the ministry could do was to sympathise with the students and not to agree to either of their demands,” he said.

According to police officials, several protesters were detained.

Tension started brewing inside the NIT campus in Srinagar on March 31 after India lost to West Indies in a semi-final in the T-20 Cricket World Cup prompting some local students to rejoice and burst crackers. This led to protest by outstation students resulting in clashes. The situation inside the campus has been volatile since then and the authorities have posted paramilitary personnel.