Cities

‘Night of terror’ at JNU: ABVP alleges 300-400 masked ‘Leftist goons’ stormed campus; student beaten ‘mercilessly’, critical

Following nearly a week of strike action, a confrontation at JNU has snowballed into a political flashpoint, with ABVP alleging organised violence and demanding arrests.

Statesman News Service | New Delhi | February 23, 2026 9:40 am

‘Night of terror’ at JNU: ABVP alleges 300-400 masked ‘Leftist goons’ stormed campus; student beaten ‘mercilessly’, critical

A composite image showing a student seated inside a campus building and visuals of corridor floors after a reported clash between student groups at JNU on February 23. | X/@ABVPDelhi

A violent clash erupted at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in the early hours of Monday, with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) alleging that its members were attacked by left-wing groups in what it described as a “night of terror” on campus.

The confrontation, which follows nearly a week of strikes led by left-wing organisations, has triggered fresh tensions inside the central university. ABVP has accused masked individuals of storming academic buildings, assaulting students, and creating panic across the campus, while demanding immediate arrests. Left-wing groups have not responded to the allegations so far.

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According to an ABVP post on X, “Prateek Bhardwaj, a Biotechnology student from the School of Biotechnology, JNU, was allegedly ambushed inside the School of Social Sciences premises by Leftist goons. He was first blinded with fire extinguisher powder and then mercilessly beaten. It is further alleged that even a cylinder was opened and used during this fatal assault. He has been left critically injured and rushed to the hospital. His condition is serious.”

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Several students were reportedly injured in the clash.

ABVP alleges mob attack, police inaction

Vaibhav Meena, JNUSU Joint Secretary (ABVP), alleged that the situation escalated when a large group of masked individuals moved through the campus in the middle of the night.

He claimed that students studying peacefully in the library and reading rooms were “chased away” and assaulted. In another grave allegation, Meena stated that a student named Vijay was targeted and “mob lynched” by a group of 100 to 150 people.

“The left wing’s strike has been going on here for the last 7-8 days… The kind of terror they have spread throughout the night, they went to the schools and chased away the students from the study rooms by a mob of 300-400 masked men…. Vijay has been mob lynched by a mob of 100-150 people… Delhi Police did nothing… We condemn this…,” Meena told ANI.

Social media campaign intensifies

In the aftermath of the incident, ABVP launched a social media campaign using the hashtag #LeftAttacksJNUAgain, accusing the Delhi Police of inaction while the campus was “turned into a battlefield.”

“This is not student politics! This is calculated, cold-blooded violence. A university campus is being turned into a battlefield, where students are allegedly targeted and attacked for simply studying and exercising their right to be there. If these left goons can do this inside a central university in the national capital, what message does it send? @DelhiPolice this cannot wait. Act immediately. Arrest those involved. Restore fear of law before another student is carried out on a stretcher. Students’ lives are not expendable! #LeftAttacksJNUAgain,” ABVP mentioned on X.

In another post, the organisation said: “Brutal violence in JNU! Students have been severely injured after a shocking attack by Left-affiliated groups, their only ‘fault’ was studying peacefully in the library. This is not politics. This is cowardly, targeted violence against students who came here to study, not to be assaulted. How long will ideological goons be allowed to terrorise campuses? We demand immediate arrests and strict action.”

The left-wing groups have not yet responded to ABVP’s claims.

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