An RSS shakha being conducted at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was attacked on the evening of February 17 while students were participating, leading to complaints with police and strong reactions from ABVP and BJP Andhra Pradesh.
In a press release issued on February 18, by P. V. Narayana Rao, Visakha Mahaanagar Sanghchalak, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the organisation said the shakha has been taking place peacefully for a long time at the Andhra University grounds as part of the daily activities of the RSS. It noted that, on the occasion of the RSS completing one hundred years, large-scale service activities are being conducted across the country and in Visakhapatnam city as well.
The statement said that some forces that cannot tolerate the growth of the RSS attacked the shakha being conducted near the Andhra University basketball court on Tuesday (February 17) night. At the time of the incident, swayamsevaks were offering prayers praising Bharat Mata and chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, during which some people deliberately tried to disrupt the programme with provocative slogans. It added that the Sangh workers did not lose their composure and that the incident took place in the presence of the police.
The release further stated that some groups began a malicious campaign alleging that RSS workers carried out a march in the university inciting communal sentiments. It reiterated that all RSS programmes are conducted peacefully within the framework of the law and that there is no place for violence or hatred.
#BREAKING | SFI and AISF members attacked an RSS shakha at Andhra University.
According to reports, the incident occurred during an ongoing shakha session, when a group of students linked to the Students’ Federation of India and the All India Students’ Federation confronted and… pic.twitter.com/BfTHB9gFmF
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) February 18, 2026
According to the statement, it is unfortunate that those who carried out the attack on the shakha, which has been happening peacefully for many years, are spreading false propaganda claiming that the RSS attacked them. It also noted that, on learning about the incident, ABVP students in the university came to the spot and stood in support, and that a protest programme was organised at Andhra University on Wednesday demanding action against those responsible.
Emphasising its position, the RSS said it wishes that Visakhapatnam as well as Andhra University remain peaceful and stated that it will not give any opportunity for any kind of violence.
As per the latest reports, the shakha was conducted as usual and peacefully under the protection of the police force on February 18 at 6:30 pm.
