ABVP activists taken into preventive custody after vandalism at Azim Premji University

A group of students affiliated with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) was taken into preventive custody after they staged a protest, allegedly barged onto the campus and vandalised the property of Azim Premji University near Sarjapur in Anekal taluk.

They alleged that the institution facilitated an event of a students’ group with “anti-national” content, portraying the Indian Army in a poor light. These charges, however, have been denied by the university authorities and students who were part of a study circle event.

The police rushed to the spot to prevent escalation and detained a few students. “All necessary steps have been taken to ensure that there is no disturbance to law and order,” said Chandrakanth M.V., Superintendent of Police (SP), Bengaluru District. In a memorandum addressed to the Union Home Ministry, ABVP demanded strict action against the student organisation involved in the event.

Counter-protest

In a counter-protest, students of Azim Premji University held a demonstration against the ABVP’s actions and urged the government to act against them.

In its statement, Azim Premji University stated, “On Tuesday evening, around 6 p.m., a group of 20 people forced their way into our campus in Bengaluru. They shouted slogans, vandalised some of the property, and assaulted a few of our security guards and students. We reported the incident immediately to the police (Sarjapura, Bangalore). The police acted swiftly and rounded them up”.

On the event that ABVP claimed was organised by students, the university said, “The University follows strict procedures before any event is held on campus. This event, which was allegedly planned by a small group of students, did not happen at all. We strongly condemn the ruckus and violence that was unleashed on our campus by this external group of people”.

Student witness

A student who is part of the study circle said that it was an informal discussion organised by them about Kashmir, and there was nothing unusual in it since “Kashmir is part of India and part of our syllabus”. She said that a student who tried to question why they were indulging in vandalism was hit by ABVP activists and was taken to hospital.

In a statement, All India Students’ Association (AISA) condemned the vandalism of the campus, and said that it was a “deliberate attack on the culture of debate, dissent and discussion that fosters critical thinking.”