Clashes at JNU after Umar Khalid, Sharjeel depicted as Ravan
What's the story
Clashes broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Thursday evening during a Durga idol immersion procession. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) alleged that Left-backed student organizations attacked the procession. It accused members of the All India Students' Association (AISA), Students's Federation of India (SFI), and Democratic Students's Federation (DSF) of stone-pelting and abusing participants near Sabarmati T-Point around 7:00pm.
Cultural aggression
ABVP leaders demand strict action from administration
ABVP JNU president Mayank Panchal condemned the incident, calling it "a direct attack on the university's festive tradition and the faith of the students." Similarly, ABVP JNU minister Praveen Piyush slammed stone-pelting and attacking female students during a sacred ritual. He demanded strict action from the administration against those responsible. JNUSU joint secretary Vaibhav Meena also condemned the incident, calling it "a direct assault on the cultural harmony and brotherhood of the university."
Twitter Post
The effigy
The image of #Sharjeel & #Umar depicted as faces of Ravan while being burned during Dussehra in #JNU. It’s the same institute where they both are alumni. pic.twitter.com/eGBujleIse
— Aasif Mujtaba (@MujtabaAasif) October 2, 2025
Cultural harmony
Left-affiliated groups refute allegations
Left-affiliated groups have refuted these allegations. The AISA accused ABVP of politicizing religion through a Ravan Dahan event where effigies of former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were depicted as Ravan. Khalid and Imam are currently on trial for anti-CAA protests and Delhi riots conspiracy cases. "JNU rejects the politics of hate and Islamophobia," the AISA statement said, calling upon students to "stand up against the divisive politics of RSS-ABVP."
Accusations
AISA accuses ABVP of politicizing religion during Ravan Dahan event
The AISA further questioned why the ABVP didn't choose figures like Nathuram Godse, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, or leaders accused of inflammatory speeches during the 2020 Delhi riots for their effigies. The group urged students to oppose what they called "the divisive politics of RSS-ABVP." The JNU administration is yet to issue a formal statement on the incident.