Hyderabad: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) EFLU Unit has alleged that its karyakartas and students were subjected to a “planned and cowardly attack” at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) campus in Hyderabad in the early hours of August 14. The student organisation also questioned the subsequent police action, claiming that seven ABVP members were sent to judicial custody while only one NSUI member was taken into custody.
According to the ABVP EFLU Unit on August 15, the dispute began on August 13 after a warden at the Mahalaqa Bai Chanda Women’s Hostel allegedly made “sexist and insulting remarks” towards two female students who had requested to stay as roommates. The ABVP claimed that the warden questioned the character of the students, threatened to call their parents and directed them either to remain in their allotted rooms or leave the hostel.
The ABVP said it subsequently held a peaceful protest in support of the students and also raised concerns over basic hostel facilities, including clean washrooms and safe drinking water. It claimed that NSUI members attempted to disrupt the protest through arguments and abusive language.
The student organisation alleged that at around 3 am on August 14, a group of around 20 NSUI members forcefully entered the hostel room of a second-year BA student associated with ABVP and assaulted him. Citing eyewitness accounts, the ABVP claimed that several members of the group appeared to be under the influence of intoxicating substances.
The ABVP further alleged that the doors of rooms occupied by other ABVP members were locked from outside, preventing them from coming to the student’s assistance. It also claimed that another student who attempted to intervene was forcibly restrained and gagged, while ABVP members who reached the spot to rescue their fellow students were also attacked.
The ABVP maintained that its members acted only in self-defence and to protect students from the attacking group.
Questioning the police action following the incident, the ABVP claimed that seven of its members had been placed in judicial custody, while only one NSUI member had been taken into custody. It further alleged that the NSUI member received preferential treatment, including being transported in a personal vehicle, while the ABVP members were taken in a standard police vehicle.
The ABVP also alleged that other individuals involved in the incident remained outside custody and claimed that no immediate medical or drug testing was conducted despite eyewitness allegations that some persons involved in the assault were under the influence of intoxicating substances.
The student organisation further claimed that complaints filed by its members and the injuries they sustained had not received appropriate attention from the police. It demanded an impartial investigation into the entire incident and alleged political interference in police action.
The ABVP has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the seven ABVP members, the arrest and medical testing of all other persons found to have been involved in the alleged attack, and strict administrative action, including suspension of the hostel warden.
It also demanded an end to police bias and political interference by the ruling Congress government in Telangana in matters concerning the university.
The ABVP EFLU Unit said it would continue to raise issues concerning the dignity, safety and rights of students at EFLU and demanded accountability from all those found responsible for the violence.
