Students protest against ABVP members after vandalism at APU over Kunan Poshpora discussion
Bengaluru: Hours after Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members allegedly vandalised Azim Premji University premises on Tuesday, hundreds of students gathered in the campus to protest against the alleged violence.
According to a report by Maktoob, the vandalism is linked to a discussion on the 35th anniversary of the Kunan Poshpora mass rape organised by members of the student collective Spark Reading Circle to mark the anniversary of the alleged mass rape of Kashmiri women in Kunan and Poshpora villages on February 23, 1991.
The discussion was initially scheduled for 6 pm and later rescheduled to 8:30 pm.
Quoting students present on campus, Maktoob reported that ABVP members allegedly assaulted a Muslim student and vandalised university property.
In a separate statement issued by All India Students Association (AISA) condemned the incident.
“We congratulate the students of APU who came out united to resist the ABVP-RSS onslaught on our campus,” the statement read.
Students told the portal that the university’s name board was defaced during the incident, with the words “Ban Spark” written on it.
According to students who spoke to Maktoob, cadres of the Hindutva student organisation ABVP allegedly assaulted a Muslim student and vandalised the university’s name board in an attempt to disrupt the event.
AISA also alleged that “they (ABVP) members tried to intimidate AISA comrades and participants.”
A student who witnessed the events said that one student was physically attacked and that the incident prompted hundreds of students to gather in protest.
Videos circulated among students showed groups raising slogans against what they described as intimidation and violence on campus, while demanding action against those involved.
Students quoted by the portal said the event was planned as an academic discussion to reflect on justice, memory, and accountability in relation to the Kunan Poshpora case, which remains a sensitive issue with survivors continuing to seek justice. They said tensions escalated after opposition from ABVP members, eventually leading to the alleged violence.
The gathering continued late into the night, with students asserting their right to organise discussions within the campus without fear.
In a statement issued by students of APU, it was alleged that ABVP members entered the campus without permission and damaged university property in an attempt to silence a student-led discussion.
The statement accessed by the Maktoob said the incident amounted to an attack on academic freedom and democratic dissent, alleging that ABVP members vandalised property, assaulted a student, and intimidated organisers and participants.
The student who was assaulted was taken to a hospital for treatment and later filed a First Information Report (FIR) against ABVP members.
In the meantime, students also criticised the role of the police during the incident.
In their statement, they alleged that police personnel present at the site did not intervene while the vandalism and forced entry took place. They claimed no immediate effort was made to stop the group or calm the situation, calling the police response deeply concerning. Students also remarked that rules often cited regarding protest restrictions were not applied in this case.
“ABVP members suddenly began protesting on the campus, following which a few students were taken into preventive custody. Further investigation is underway. Security has since been intensified around the campus to prevent any further clashes,” Maktoob reported, quoting journalist Yasir Mushtaq, who reported the statement issued by the Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru Rural.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) alleged that, “the ABVP’s repeated assault on campus democracy and the student community, whether it is APU, Bengaluru University, CUK, HCU, JNU, DU, Allahabad University and all other stems from their deliberate attack on the culture of debate, dissent and discussion that fosters critical thinking.”
“This particular attack was to silence a discussion organised under the banner of Spark* that sought to centre the voices of Kashmiri women and reflect on questions of justice, memory, and accountability,” the statement added.
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Eight women labourers killed as truck hits tempo on Nagpur-Mumbai expressway
Jalna/Mumbai (PTI): Eight women labourers were killed, and three others were injured after a speeding truck rammed into a tempo on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway in Jalna district of Maharashtra on Wednesday evening, police said.
The incident occurred when a group of women was returning home after completing cleaning work on the expressway.
"A total of 11 persons, including the driver, were sitting in the tempo. As the vehicle was about to start, a speeding truck headed towards Mumbai rammed into it from behind at Kadvanchi village," a police official said, adding that seven women died on the spot and another succumbed in the Jalna government hospital.
The tempo was badly mangled, and the bodies were reportedly strewn across the road.
The deceased have been identified as Alkabai Admane (45), Laxmibai Madan (35), Meena Admane (45), Kanchan Admane (50), Tarabai Choudhari (60), Kadubai Madan (55), and Suman Admane (70), all residents of Jalna tehsil.
The identity of the eighth deceased is yet to be confirmed.
Three people are undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Police have arrested the truck driver and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.
Expressing grief, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the death of eight people is extremely unfortunate, and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
Fadnavis paid heartfelt tributes to the deceased and expressed solidarity with their families.
He said in a statement the injured have been immediately admitted to hospitals and the local administration is coordinating relief efforts.
The district collector and the superintendent of police are present at the spot, overseeing the situation, the chief minister added.
Environment Minister and Jalna District Guardian Minister Pankaja Munde has expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
In a condolence message, Munde extended her sympathies to the families of the deceased.
