A violent incident unfolded Wednesday at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, where members of the Disha Students’ Organization were brutally attacked by alleged members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
The clash reportedly began after a group of students objected to ABVP members conducting a Vishwakarma Pooja inside a classroom, arguing that religious ceremonies have no place in academic spaces. The protest was allegedly met with violence, leading to a physical confrontation on campus.
According to Disha Students’ Organization’s President, Varuni, the violence began shortly after when two members of Disha—Mritunjay, Ritesh and one member of Bapsa Adesh were isolated.
“When Mritunjay, Ritesh and Adesh were alone on campus, ABVP members attacked them—around 20–25 people assaulted them with sticks and rods,” Varuni told FoEJ Media.
Ritesh, a student with a pre-existing neurological condition, “was hit on the head,” Varuni said.
“Murjaney was completely unconscious after the attack. That’s when many students and organizations rushed to the Vice Chancellor’s office to demand action. Only then did the police arrive” Varuni added.
Caste Based Slurs and Abuses Hurled
The assault, however, was not just physical. Varuni reported that caste-based slurs and abuses were hurled during the attack, “Casteist comments were made during the attack. Our members were abused, and one of them was called a ‘chamaar’,” she told FoEJ Media.
Three Separate FIRs Lodged
Three separate FIRs have been filed at Ashiyana Police Station following the incident at BBAU, based on complaints from ABVP members, university authorities, and students who claim they were assaulted during the clash.
One of the cases, filed on the basis of a complaint by ABVP members, names 12 students associated with the Diksha organization. They have been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including Section 115(2) (abetment), Section 191(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 191(3) (rioting with deadly weapons), Section 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), Section 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and Section 351(3) (criminal intimidation).
According to the ABVP’s complaint, the accused students allegedly disrupted the Vishwakarma Pooja and made disrespectful remarks about Hindu deities.
Varuni categorically denied these accusations. “ABVP has filed an FIR against us, claiming we disrespected deities, but that’s a complete lie. Yes, we did oppose the puja, but only because we believe that everyone has the right to follow their religion in their personal space. A university, a temple of learning, cannot become a religious venue,” Varuni said.
“If everyone starts openly practicing religion in campus spaces, this institution of knowledge will turn into a religious congregation. That is not acceptable in a secular, democratic space” she added.
“ABVP Attacked Security Guard Last Month”
This is not the first instance of such behavior by ABVP on the BBAU campus. According to Varuni, similar violent behavior occurred last month when an ABVP member assaulted a university security guard over a minor entry-related dispute.
