NSUI, ABVP join hands to protest BHU crackdown

New Delhi: Both the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) came together on Monday and staged demonstrations outside the HRD ministry office against the lathi-charge by police on students in Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

While the Congress backed NSUI demanded an inquiry under a sitting high court judge and the resignation of the BHU vice-chancellor, the ABVP condemned the police action against the students and demanded constitution of a fact-finding committee.

A number of students, including women and two journalists, were injured in a lathicharge by the police in BHU where a protest, on Saturday night, against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent. Even as NSUI and ABVP announced their plans to stage demonstrations outside the HRD ministry separately, it was one of the rare occasions where the rival organisations protested on a common cause.

However, the NSUI claimed that its supporters were detained much ahead of the venue while ABVP activists were allowed to reach the site. The Congress affiliated student body accused Delhi police of favouring the ABVP.

“Despite having all permissions, we were detained without citing any reason. This shows how Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to use the police for curbing and stopping protests against him and his government,” said NSUI media in-charge, Neeraj Mishra.

Mr Mishra also criticised the ABVP and said that its protest was “always about symbolism.”

Rejecting the NSUI’s charge, ABVP national media convener Saket Bahuguna said on Twitter, “Those wondering why a protest at MHRD, should remember @ABVPVoice works for student community, not for any political party and we are proud of it.”

Police said that permission was not granted for any protest near the ministry and that both the parties were detained.

Meanwhile, united protest by different women’s groups, student and teachers’ organisations from different universities, and citizens gathered at Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with the BHU students.

Violence at BHU erupted after some students, protesting against the incident on Thursday, wanted to meet the varsity’s vice-chancellor at his residence. A BHU spokesperson said that some students wanted to “forcibly” enter the VC’s residence, but they were stopped by the BHU security guards.

Subsequently, there was stone pelting by “outsiders” who had joined the students, he said. Police charged the students in a bid to disperse them.