Several opposition leaders, like CPI-M chief Sitharam Yechuri and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, criticised the incident.
According to students, the masked persons thrashed them, including girls, and teachers on the campus with wooden and metal rods as the police remained a mute witness. The police said they were investigating the incident.
"Masked attackers entered the JNU while law enforcers stood by. This video is what RSS/BJP want to convert India to. They will not be allowed to succeed," Sitaram Yechuri tweeted.
Congress leader Chidambaram held the government responsible for the violence. "What we are seeing on live TV is shocking and horrifying. Masked men enter JNU hostels and attack students. What is the police doing? Where is the Police Commissioner? If it is happening on live TV, it is an act of impunity and can only happen with the support of the government. This is beyond belief," said Chidambaram.
The Congress also alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government was taking revenge on the students.
"Students beaten up in #JNU. Teachers beaten up in #JNU. Goons vandalising women's hotel. Brutality & beatings unleashed. No Police anywhere, No JNU Administration! Is this how Modi Govt seeks revenge against students & youth? #SOSJNU," tweeted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
JNUSU leaders accused the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the rampant violence on campus.
( With inputs from IANS )