A violent student clash broke out at Pondicherry University on September 25, 2026, sparked by the scheduled screening of a documentary film on Delhi riots 2020 accused Umar Khalid. The altercation involved members of opposing student groups and resulted in multiple injuries.
ABVP PU condemns the brutal attack of SFI, ASA & NSUI goons on ABVP Karyakartas.
There are serious concerns about how Pondicherry University Administration have given the permission to these Organisations to screen the documentary of anti-national Umar khalid.
When they were… pic.twitter.com/wsDwNGeJjF
— ABVP (@ABVPVoice) September 26, 2026
ABVP functionary Surya Saravanan said, “There are serious concerns about how Pondicherry University Administration has given permission to these organisations to screen the documentary of anti-national Umar Khalid. When they were questioned, they initiated threatening, manhandling, sexual remarks & violence. This reveals the Nexus of PU Admin – ASA, SFI & NSUI”.
ABVP STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE ATTACK ON KARYAKARTAS
ABVP Pondicherry University strongly condemns the alleged physical assault on its karyakartas during a protest against the screening of Prisoner Number 626710 on campus.
Two ABVP karyakartas were hospitalised following the… pic.twitter.com/d9TmZCYdln
— ABVP (@ABVPVoice) September 26, 2026
Two students were hospitalised at a local government hospital to receive treatment for injuries sustained during the fight. Local police intervened on campus to quell the violence, separate the clashing factions, and initiate an official probe into the incident.
ABVP said it strongly condemns the alleged manhandling of its karyakarthas at Pondicherry University following objections raised against the screening of a film on Delhi riots accused and UAPA-charged Umar Khalid.
According to R Vedhanjali, CWC Member, ABVP said, “When ABVP karyakarthas questioned the screening, students reportedly associated with ASA, SFI, and NSUI allegedly manhandled our karyakarthas and made sexually abusive gestures towards female karyakarthas. Two of our karyakarthas, Suresh and Riya, are reportedly undergoing serious medical treatment at a hospital”.
ABVP has urged the university administration to take immediate and swift action against those found responsible for the alleged violence and misconduct. Besides, a proper and impartial investigation must be conducted, and accountability must be ensured.
In a statement, ABVP said, “The administration must also answer a fundamental question: How was permission granted to screen a film depicting the life journey of anti-national Umar Khalid in a university with a diverse student population? Why were adequate safeguards not ensured to protect students when concerns were raised?
ABVP demands a proper investigation, strict action against those responsible, and justice for the affected karyakarthas. ABVP will continue its democratic protest until a proper investigation is conducted, strict action is taken, and justice is delivered. If justice is denied, ABVP will continue to raise this issue through democratic and lawful protests across the country until accountability is ensured.
ABVP said it would not back down from its demand for justice. Conversely, SFI alleged that its members were targeted and attacked by ABVP activists during the altercation.
A week ago, similar attempts were made in Bengaluru. Following strong opposition from ABVP, the proposed screening of a documentary on Delhi riots 2020 accused Umar Khalid at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) was cancelled subsequently. The cancellation of the NLSIU screening has also been reported by multiple media outlets.
ABVP had urged Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to order an inquiry into the proposed screening of the documentary.
The documentary on Umar Khalid was cancelled at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H), also.
However, the same was screened at NALSAR in Hyderabad without permission, and ABVP urged the VC to take strict action against the perpetrators.
ABVP’s allegation that the screening was unauthorised has been reported, while accounts of the event describe it as a student-organised screening.
The Central Board of Film Certification noted that the documentary lacked formal certification for public screening under the Cinematograph Act.
ABVP functionary Karthi said, “The same groups are now moving state after state, trying their luck to screen the documentary which glorifies Umar Khalid as a freedom fighter.”
According to Karthi of ABVP, “In August last month, we launched an indefinite agitation to highlight the mismanagement by the Pondicherry University. We took out a rally on the campus and launched a sit-in protest in front of the administrative block. ABVP alleged PU management’s misplaced priorities, including spending crores of rupees for renovating the office, cabin for staff while ignoring the demands of students for better drinking water supply, hostel, sports and transportation facilities.”
Umar Khalid remains in prison because Delhi Police accused him of masterminding a larger conspiracy in the 2020 Delhi riots. He was arrested in September 2020 and charged under the strict anti-terror law called the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Reports state that he remains in custody in connection with the UAPA case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots.
Police alleged that Khalid helped organise a larger conspiracy to spark communal violence during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). They allege he made provocative speeches and acted as a coordinator. Now left, Congress student wings wanted to glorify him as a crusader.
