JNU row: Attack on journalists, teachers 'act of fascism', says Congress

New Delhi: Congress on Tuesday condemned the attack on teachers and journalists in Patiala House court premises, saying it was an "act of facism" and alleged that BJP goons led by a BJP MLA were involved in the assault.

"Attack on JNU students, teachers and journalists in Court Premises is an act of Fascism and strongly condemnable. Were they Lawyers? Would Bar Council and Judiciary pl look into it (sic)," Congress leader Digvijay Singh said in a series of tweets.

"CBFC, FTII, Hyderabad Central University, JNU & now even Patiala House Court Fascists will stop at nothing to try and subvert the idea of INDIA (sic)," tweeted Congress leader Manish Tewari.

Party's National spokesperson Ajoy Kumar in a tweet said, "Hindutva is on Development is gone. Why hesitate...Call spade a spade...They were BJP goons led by BJP MLA...Why hesitate in saying who they really were (sic)."

Violence had broken out in Patiala House court complex on Monday when groups of lawyers attacked journalists, students and teachers of JNU and unidentified people in and outside the court dubbing them as anti-nationals in the wake of a raging row over the arrest of a student leader of the university.

A Delhi BJP MLA O P Sharma, who happened to be in the complex, also joined a group of lawyers in beating up a person, identified as CPI activist Ameeque Jamai, who was taken to Tughlaq Road police station.