JNU: Lawyers scuffle, some attack journalists again

Several journalists were beaten up by a section of lawyers at the Patiala House Court here on Wednesday before JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar was to be brought there.

Among the journalists who were assaulted were a Firstpost photographer and reporter each as well as a journalist from Network 18.

Two groups of lawyers -- one opposed to Kanhaiya Kumar and another supporting his legal rights -- earlier got into a scuffle in the court in the heart of the capital.

The lawyers who attacked the journalists - much like what happened two days ago in the court - were noisily protesting against Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students who allegedly raised anti-India slogans a week ago.

The journalists alleged that police personnel present in the court refused to come to their help.

The lawyers who went on the offensive on Wednesday carried Indian flags and shouted slogans like 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'JNU Murdabad'.

They shouted slogans against JNU and demanded its closure, saying the institution was "anti-national".

On the other hand, a group of lawyers protesting against Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest demanded his immediate release.

On Monday, many journalists including an IANS reporter, were beaten up by the same group of lawyers in the court.

Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested after anti-India slogans were raised at an event held at the JNU campus on February 9 to commemorate the execution of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.