Protest in DU after 2 students debarred for screening BBC docu
Many students manhandled, detained
Several students protesting against the debarment of two students for allegedly participating in a screening of a BBC documentary in the Delhi University campus were detained on Friday from Delhi University’s arts faculty.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) along with other student organisations decided to sit on an indefinite strike demanding the withdrawal of the notice by the university for barring two students, Lokesh Chugh and Ravinder Singh, for a year.
The students have alleged that they were manhandled by the police and university security inside the North campus premises.
According to the police, 11 students demonstrating near the Vivekananda statue were removed to maintain peace and tranquillity. Meanwhile, the university has said that the students did not seek permission before the protest and added that such indiscipline will not be tolerated.
“Students who gathered for the indefinite strike against debarring of two students from DU have been beaten and detained by the Delhi police and DU guards. As many as 25 students have been detained,” AISA Delhi president Abhigyan said.
According to sources, several students have been taken to Burari police station.
“Students gathered at Arts faculty against the arbitrary notice debarring two students who have been brutally beaten, manhandled, and detained. This exposes the nexus of the police, BJP-RSS backed college administration. We will not be silenced by such measures, protest to protect our campus democracy, dissent will continue until this notice is withdrawn!” AISA DU secretary Anjali said.
In a video shared by the AISA activists, security forces of the university were seen dragging, removing, and pushing students from the spot.
Six other students allegedly involved in the January 27 incident have been given “less strict” punishment, the official said, while indicating that more students might be implicated.
“Reportedly, students were gathering there to protest in support of some students who were expelled due to indiscipline,” DCP (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi said.