Statements Against the ‘Burn the Contemporary Ravans’ Event by the ABVP at JNU
02 October 2025 | Fraternity Movement, JNU & SFI-JNU
On the 2nd of October, 2025, ABVP conducted an event at Jawaharlal Nehru University to mark Vijayadashami, using the occasion to “Burn the Contemporary Ravans” labelling in its poster Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Afzal Guru alongside Terrorism, Separatism, Patriarchy, Naxalism and Maoism as ‘Contemporary Ravans’. Click here to view the poster (covered by IAFN’s Campus Notes page). Several statements were published condemning this event at JNU. These are as follows.
Fraternity Movement JNU
We, the students and members of Fraternity Movement JNU, strongly condemn the recent "Ravan Dahan" organized by ABVP on our campus. This act, far from being a cultural practice, was a disturbing public display of hatred and political vilification that has deeply wounded the spirit of JNU. The burning of effigies symbolizing leaders such as Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, alongside labels like "anti-national forces," "Urban Naxals," and "Separatists," marks a dangerous escalation of Hindutva hate politics. This was not just disrespectful; it was a direct assault on the principles of justice and human dignity upon which our university stands.
By publicly burning the effigies of individuals who are still awaiting legal verdicts, the organizers bypassed due process and encouraged a culture of moh justice. This act of prejudice effectively pronounced these individuals guilty in the court of public opinion long before any court of law has reached a decision….
Click here to read the complete statement
SFI JNU
SFI categorically communal condemns instrumentalization the of of Dussehra. We reject the politicization of faith to demonize an entire community. We reject the appropriation of cultural rituals to serve the agenda supremacy and exclusion. Today, students of JNU stood united to voice their resistance against the RSS-BJP-ABVP's vitriolic agenda. We call upon all students to continue resisting this campaign of hate every day, to defend pluralism, and to ensure that festivals like Dussehra are never used as pretexts for violence, division, or fear. The struggle to defend democracy and secularism is absolute and non-negotiable….