Serious cognisance taken over videos of protesters raising objectionable slogans: JNU
New Delhi (PTI): The Jawaharlal Nehru University on Tuesday said it had taken serious cognisance of videos from a protest in which the students’ union raised "highly objectionable, provocative, and inflammatory" slogans, asserting that such actions demonstrate a “wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions".
The university has also requested police to register an FIR after slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were raised during a programme on Monday night.
The JNU administration, in a letter addressed to the SHO of Vasant Kunj (North), said a programme, "A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba," was organised around 10 pm by students linked to the JNUSU.
The gathering initially appeared limited to commemorating the January 5, 2020 incident, with around 30 to 35 students present. However, the nature of the event changed following a judicial verdict on the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, after which some participants allegedly raised "inflammatory and objectionable" slogans, it read.
"Such act reflects a wilful disrespect for constitutional institutions and established norms of civil and democratic discourse. All stakeholders must understand the clear distinction between dissent, abuse and hate speech which leads to public disorder," the statement issued by university registrar said.
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In its letter to the Delhi Police, the university states that certain students raised "highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory" slogans and are in direct contempt of the Supreme Court.
The university urged the stakeholders to desist from indulging in any "such unwarranted activities" and cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony on the campus failing which strict action will be taken as per rules.
"JNU administration has taken very serious cognisance of the videos being circulated of the protest organised at Sabarmati premises yesterday (Monday) wherein a group of students from JNUSU raised highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory slogans," the statement read.
"The Competent Authority has taken serious note of the incident and Security Branch has been asked cooperate with the police in the investigation," it added.
Noting that the raising of such slogans is "wholly inconsistent with democratic dissent, violates the JNU Code of Conduct", the statement said such slogans have the "potential to seriously disturb public order, campus harmony, and the safety and security environment of the university and the nation".
A purported video of the incident has also surfaced online.
The university has named several students, including current JNUSU president Aditi Mishra, and said they were identified during the programme and argued that the slogans were "deliberate", "repeated" and had the "potential to seriously disrupt public order, campus harmony and security".
Security officials were present on site and monitored the situation, the letter added.
The chief security officer has requested police to register an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to the letter.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
