PROTEST AT BHU AFTER V-C ATTENDS IFTAR AT MAHILA MAHAVIDYALAY

VARANASI : A group of students associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) protested against a roza iftar that was organised at the BHU’s Mahila Mahavidyalay (MMV) on Wednesday night. They also torched an effigy of BHU vicechancellor Sudhir K Jain, who participated in the iftar party with several officials of the university.

Subsequently, the V-C held a dialogue with students and teachers and assured them of more facilities in the MMV.

Others present at the iftar were BHU rector VK Shukla, registrar Arun Kumar Singh, Bhuvan Chandra Kapri, Nishat Afroz, Rana Noor, Sabina Bano, Gautam Geeta Jeevatram, Momita Das and Divya Kushwaha among others.

“Iftar was never organised like this at the MMV. Why has this new thing started? We strongly oppose it,” said Shubham, a member of the ABVP’s BHU unit.

Patanjali, a research scholar and ABVP member, said, “Roza iftar was never organised in the MMV like this. BHU V-C Prof Jain and several officials participated in the party. We oppose it.”

The protesting students said they would again stage a protest against the iftar at the MMV.

“Roza iftar in MMV is not a new tradition. It is organised every year. It is unfortunate that a handful of people opposed it,” said Vishwanath Pandey, former public relations officer (BHU).

“Established by Bharat Ratna Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is an inclusive space, which is globally renowned for its teaching, research and innovation,” said BHU public relations officer Rajesh Singh.

“Students from across the globe come to BHU and study in an all-inclusive atmosphere. The university follows Mahamana’s idea of inclusivity and his values and principles are in the core of BHU’s functioning as an institution. A number of festivals are celebrated in the university with members of BHU fraternity participating with mutual love, respect and harmony,” he said.

Singh said the vice-chancellor had attended the iftar at Mahila Mahavidyalay on April 27 on the invitation of students and faculty members of MMV.