Tensions flared at Baba Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on September 17, when multiple students were reportedly assaulted by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on campus.
The disturbance originated when a group of students objected to a Vishwakarma Pooja being organized by ABVP members in a classroom. The dissenting students argued that religious functions are inappropriate in academic settings, leading to a verbal confrontation. Their objections were allegedly met with violence.
Some students sustained injuries during the altercation and claimed it was an attempt to suppress opposition. The incident has sparked widespread outrage among the student community, prompting demands for immediate action against those responsible and calls for the university administration to uphold the campus as a secular and safe environment.
Aakash, a research scholar affiliated with the Diksha Students’ Organisation—a socialist, democratic student group—stated, “Some students objected to organizing the pooja on campus. A verbal clash ensued, and ABVP members insisted on proceeding with the pooja despite no other religious activities being conducted on the premises.”
He further indicated that when students contacted the proctor, it was confirmed that proper authorization for the event had not been granted, in line with university regulations. The pooja was eventually halted by college authorities.
As students left the area, members associated with the ABVP allegedly attacked those who had voiced their objections. Three students—Mritunjay, Ritesh, and Adesh—sustained serious injuries and were transported to Lok Bandhu Hospital for treatment.
Mritunjay reported, “While the ABVP members assaulted us with rods and other weapons, no one from the vice chancellor’s office intervened, despite the violence occurring just 50 meters away.” He further alleged that the attackers directed derogatory slurs at them, specifically targeting one student from the Scheduled Caste community. He has threatened to initiate a hunger strike if adequate measures are not taken against the ABVP members.
In the aftermath, three First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed at the Ashiyana police station by ABVP members, college authorities, and students claiming to have been assaulted.
The police have initiated a case against 12 students linked to the Diksha organization under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including abetment, rioting with deadly weapons, and other charges related to public disturbance and religious sentiments, based on complaints from ABVP members.
ABVP’s complaint accused the dissenting students of disrupting the Vishwakarma Pooja and showing disrespect towards Hindu deities. However, student Anushreesh contested these allegations, asserting that the objections were solely against conducting religious events on campus.
He remarked, “The ABVP-associated students who attacked us are facing bailable charges, while those who were assaulted are being booked under serious, non-bailable sections, despite being injured and requiring hospitalization.”
Another FIR related to this incident was also lodged by the police citing similar charges based on complaints from the assaulted students.
Varuni Poorva, a national post-holder of the Diksha and a student at Patna University, commented, “ABVP is attempting to communalize the issue, claiming that the students who objected disrespected Hindu gods and deities.” She emphasized that the Diksha’s primary concern was maintaining a secular environment within educational institutions, a principle outlined in the university’s code of conduct.
She cautioned that if actions similar to this were tolerated, other religious groups would expect to conduct their practices as well. “Violence has emerged under this pretext, which is regrettable. University campuses must not provide a platform for right-wing or communal elements, as their intent is to disrupt communal harmony and instigate violence,” Poorva added, announcing that students would initiate a hunger strike if no action was taken by the university or police by Monday.
As of now, university authorities have not released an official statement regarding the incident. Attempts by Maktoob to reach the proctor went unanswered. Updates will follow as additional information becomes available.
Tags: BBAU, ABVP, student assault, Vishwakarma pooja, classroom incident
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