Lawyers thrash JNU students, journalists; Kanhaiya Kumar sent to two more days of police custody

NEW DELHI: In an incident blamed on lawyers, students and faculty members of Jawaharlal Nehru University, as well as journalists, were attacked at the Patiala House court premises here on Monday. At least one journalist was seriously injured and admitted to a hospital. The students, faculty and journalists had gathered at the court premises as arrested JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced by the police seeking extension of remand. Kumar, who is accused of sedition, was sent to two more days of police custody. The violence began with loud sloganeering by the attackers in lawyer’s robes, who wanted everyone from JNU removed from the court premises.

"Hindustan Zindabad, JNU Murdabad" was one of the slogans being shouted by them as they walked inside the courtroom. JNU professor Ayesha Kidwai alleged that she and some others were "pushed, sexually harassed" until they left the courtroom in "police escort". Rohit Azad, another JNU faculty member, told ET he was slapped.

The attackers accused the reporters of showing "pro-terrorist" news. Reporters left the courtroom after one of the judge’s staff asked them to do so. Violent scenes could be seen outside the courtroom as well. Amey Tirodkar, the local bureau chief of a Marathi channel, said: "One of the court staff came up to me and asked if I were a journalist. When I said yes, lawyers pounced on me."

More than 10 journalists filed a complaint with the Tilak Marg police station after the violence.