Hindu Sena puts up saffron flags, banners at JNU main gate

Right-wing outfit says the police should not rush to remove them

A poster near JNU on  Friday.: PTI Photo

PTI   |   New Delhi   | 16.04.22  : Saffron flags and posters bearing the words “Bhagwa (saffron) JNU” have come up near the main gate of Jawaharlal Nehru University, days after a clash over a Ram Navami event in a hostel on the campus.

The Hindu Sena, a Right-wing outfit whose name was on the posters, acknowledged putting them up and said in a statement that the police should not rush to remove them.

In a video circulated on WhatsApp, organisation chief Vishnu Gupta is purportedly heard saying in Hindi: “Saffron is being insulted on the JNU campus. We want to warn those who are doing this, mend your ways. We won’t tolerate this. We respect your ideology and every religion. But the Hindu Sena will not tolerate any insult to saffron and can take any tough step against it.”

On Ram Navami, a member of the CPIML Liberation student arm Aisa had suffered a head injury after being hit by a projectile. Aisa alleged that the Sangh-backed ABVP had stopped non-vegetarian food being served at Kaveri Hostel and hurled stones and bottles at students who protested.

The ABVP claimed the clash erupted when the Leftist students stalled a puja in the hostel, and that one of its members suffered a hand injury.

Deputy commissioner of police (Southwest) Manoj C said: “On Friday morning, it was noticed that a few flags and banners have been put up on the road and adjoining areas of JNU. Those were promptly removed because of the recent incident and suitable legal action is being taken.”

The Hindu Sena responded in a statement: “Saffron is not a symbol of terror that the police are showing haste. It is a right under the law to protect saffron and Hindutva.”

Gupta, the outfit’s chief, said the posters had been put up by national vice-president Surjit Singh Yadav.

According to the police, 20 students were injured in the Ram Navami clash.