Violence in Ramjas College: ABVP-AISA clash over Umar Khalid, Shehla Rashid invite

Violent clashes broke out between Left-affiliated AISA and RSS-backed ABVP at Ramjas College today over a seminar invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid which left many students, teachers and policemen injured.

New Delhi: Violent clashes broke out between Left-affiliated AISA and RSS-backed ABVP at Ramjas College on Wednesday over a seminar invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid which left many students, teachers and policemen injured.

A group of students was also allegedly locked up by ABVP activists inside the college campus for over four hours.

Police officials claimed that a few policemen, including the SHO of Maurice Nagar police station, were roughed up during the protest.

A few journalists too alleged that they were attacked by police during the clash.

The clash broke out when a group of students and teachers tried to take out a march demanding action against ABVP for alleged vandalism and also disruption of a seminar yesterday.

Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) had yesterday locked down the Delhi University college's seminar room and pelted stones in protest against the invitation to the JNU students who were to address the seminar, calling them "anti-nationals".

The college authorities decided to withdraw the invitation which irked a section of students and teachers who planned the protest march to Maurice Nagar police station demanding action against ABVP members for the "vandalism".

The ABVP members, however, did not allow the march to proceed and allegedly locked the students and teachers inside Ramjas College, while AISA members tried to barge inside the premises to "rescue the captives".

Abha Dev, a member of DU Teachers' Association, claimed that besides "several students", three teachers of different DU colleges - Prasanta Chakraborty (English), Suvrita (History) and Mousumi Bose (Philosophy)were injured in the clashes and taken to Hindu Rao hospital.

"Not only the ABVP completely disrupted the seminar, they are also abusing, beating women and even journalists. Why can't the police see such hooliganism? There is plenty police presence on campus but nobody from ABVP has been detained yet," alleged Shehla Rashid, who was formerly JNU Students' Union vice president.

She alleged that "police joined the ABVP goons in attacking me".

Later in the evening, AISA members and teachers gathered outside Maurice Nagar police station demanding FIR against ABVP members.

A senior police officer, however, told PTI, "A few students have been taken in a bus and will be dropped at Mandi House metro station.

An FIR is being lodged on a complaint by the SHO of Maurice Nagar who was roughed up and sustained injuries among others during the clash."

College Principal Rajender Prasad said he is in discussion with the teachers who were organisers of the event and requested both the groups to not disrupt the peace and harmony in the college.

While Khalid was among the students charged with sedition in connection with an event at JNU last year where anti- national slogans were allegedly raised, Shehla was instrumental in the movement against the students' arrest.