Azim Premji University Files Police Complaint Following Campus Protest Over Kashmir Discussion
In a significant development at Azim Premji University (APU) in Sarjapur, Bengaluru, the registrar has lodged a formal police complaint against office bearers of the Spark Reading Circle. This action comes in the wake of a protest staged by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Tuesday evening, which led to chaos and multiple arrests on campus.
Protest and Arrests Over Scheduled Kashmir Discussion
Chaos erupted when members of ABVP, a student organization affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), forcibly entered the university campus. They were protesting a scheduled discussion on Kashmir, organized by Spark APU, a reading circle linked to the All India Students Association (AISA), which is the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist).
In response to the trespassing and vandalism, police arrested 25 ABVP activists. As a precautionary measure, authorities deployed two platoons of the State Reserve Police Force at APU to maintain order and prevent further disturbances.
University's Stance and Police Complaint Details
APU registrar Rishikesh BS, in his complaint, emphasized that the university was completely unaware of the program or the talks. He stated that Spark Reading Circle did not seek or obtain any written permission from the institution to host the event.
According to social media posts cited in the complaint, the discussion aimed to address alleged atrocities by army personnel in the Kunan-Poshpora villages approximately 35 years ago. Rishikesh quoted a post that described a mass rape incident from 1991, highlighting claims of no convictions and ongoing struggles for justice.
Rishikesh further alleged that following these posts, ABVP activists trespassed into the campus, attacked a student and a security personnel, and vandalized boards and other materials. He noted that the event was planned at a campus location named Kabira, typically used for cultural activities.
Legal Actions and Allegations
Based on the complaint, Sarjapur police have registered a criminal case against office bearers of Spark Reading Circle. The charges include violations under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, as well as provisions of the Information Technology Act.
Rishikesh accused Spark Reading Circle of spreading false and defamatory information about the university in the past and now making communally hateful messages by associating with the institution's name.
Bail Granted to Arrested Activists
In a related development, a local court granted bail to the 25 arrested ABVP activists on Wednesday. This decision comes amid ongoing investigations into the trespassing and vandalism incidents.
The situation at Azim Premji University underscores tensions surrounding discussions on sensitive topics like Kashmir, with implications for campus security and freedom of expression. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure peace and order.
