Tension escalates at Andhra University as rival student groups trade charges

Tension has escalated at Andhra University with rival student organisations levelling serious allegations against each other and filing police complaints after a series of confrontations on the campus.

SFI, AISF and other student union leaders addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
V. RAJU

While one section of students demanded the removal of alleged long-term squatters and action against what they described as biased professors, another group sought an immediate ban on religious activities within the academic premises.

Both the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad(ABVP) and the Students Federation of India(SFI) led organisations addressed separate press conferences on Sunday to present their versions of the incidents that have disturbed the campus since February 17.

Addressing the media, ABVP State Secretary Venkata Gopi defended the presence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on the campus. He said Shakha activities have been conducted at Andhra University for the past 75 years with the permission of previous university authorities. He added that leaders such as former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Odisha Governor K. Haribabu had participated in such sessions during their student days.

ABVP leaders alleged that SFI members carried out a pre-planned attack on nationalist students to divert attention from the high profile naval manoeuvres attended by President Droupadi Murmu in Visakhapatnam last week.

ABVP National Executive member V. Kiran Kumar claimed that while their members practise Vande Mataram, certain SFI leaders were found consuming alcohol in hostels, as seen in videos circulated on social media.

The ABVP also accused some professors of backing SFI and misusing religious sentiments to target university officials, including the Security Dean, who they said were acting against anti-social elements on the campus.

Meanwhile, a joint front comprising SFI, AISF and PDSU demanded that the authorities ban RSS activities within the university premises. The student unions contended that University Grants Commission guidelines prohibit religious activities on university campuses.

SFI State president Rammohan Rao alleged that on February 17, RSS members conducting what he described as a militaristic parade at the basketball grounds assaulted students who questioned their presence.

The joint student leaders further alleged that outside elements entered the campus and damaged flags and poles belonging to SFI and CITU, even as prohibitory orders under Section 30 of the Police Act were in force.