Tension continues on Andhra University campus for fifth day after student clashes

Tension continued at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday (February 21), following clashes between ABVP, SFI and AISF activists.

ABVP activists staging a protest in front of the Andhra University main gate in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
V. RAJU

The trouble began on February 17 when SFI and AISF members allegedly attacked ABVP activists during a ‘shakha’ (RSS programme_ organised on the campus. Since then, both sides have been staging protests at the Vice-Chancellor’s office, leading to a prolonged standoff.

On Saturday morning, ABVP leaders mobilised a large number of activists for a protest at the university’s main gate, demanding the immediate arrest of those allegedly involved in the February 17 incident. Heavy police presence, along with university security personnel, was deployed to prevent further escalation. Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Sankhabrata Bagchi held talks with student leaders in an effort to defuse the tension.

ABVP city leader U. Nitin alleged that the university administration and the police had failed to act on their complaint. “We staged the protest as our complaint regarding the attack on ABVP activists has not been acted upon,” he said. He maintained that the ‘shakha’ was not a religious campaign and accused Left-affiliated student unions of deliberately disrupting the programme to draw media attention and disturb the International Fleet Review-2026.

SFI Visakhapatnam district president G. Ajay denied the allegation of an attack. “We did not assault anyone. We opposed the RSS shakha activities on the campus as we believe the university should remain free from religious activities and violence. We are not against ABVP’s ideology, but against such activities within the campus,” he said, adding that their proposed bandh had been postponed in view of the IFR events.

AU Registrar K. Rambabu said the administration had issued emergency orders prohibiting rallies and meetings on the campus to safeguard the academic atmosphere, particularly with semester examinations approaching. He appealed to both groups to cooperate in restoring normalcy.

Meanwhile, the State government constituted a high-powered committee comprising an ACP-rank police officer, a Sub-Inspector and a Revenue Divisional Officer. The committee met leaders of both student unions on the campus on Saturday evening, directed them to immediately end the confrontation and assured that their grievances would be addressed at the earliest.