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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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
