In JNU, ABVP protest over non-veg food on Ram Navami; accuse Left, NSUI of opposing pooja

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parish (ABVP), student wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, on Sunday protested at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, demanding that non-vegetarian food should not be prepared in mess on occasion of Ram Navmi.

ABVP also accused National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Left-backed students of preventing m from worshipping on Ram Navmi. ABVP JNU president Rohit Kumar alleged that pooja could not start till 5 pm due to protests.

ABVP alleges disruption at Ram Navmi pooja

"Posters of Ram Navmi pooja were put three days ago. Since n, some students of Left and NSUI were threatening to disrupt pooja. Today, at 3 pm when pooja was about to happen, some students arrived at Kaveri gate and started opposing due to which pooja was postponed till 5 pm. If those who are in support of pooja don't have a problem with Muslim students having iftar in mess n why Left and NSUI is creating a ruckus," he said.

Meanwhile, University has clarified that students can eat, preach, and wear whatever y want at JNU campus. varsity said that re is no restriction over food/clothing or religious practices.

JNU Rector Ajay Dubey said that immediate notice has been issued to avoid any kind of confusion or issue.

Earlier this week, JNU Students Union (JNUSU) staged a protest over unavailability of a specialist at JNU Health Care and demanded that 'dhabas' should remain open till late at night.

"It has been weeks since university resumed offline classes and hostel rooms for first-year students have not yet been allotted. Moreover, dhabas that used to remain open till 2:30 am, now close down at 11 pm," JNUSU councillor Anagha Preep said. 

"re is no specialist at JNU Health Centre. We have demanded university to reinstate specialist service," she ded. 

ir demand comes in wake of death of a PhD student on March 21, who h earlier complained of chest pain. JNUSU called that he was not given timely treatment by health centre and re was a delay in referring him to AIIMS.