Bengaluru University Files Police Complaint After ABVP Protest Over Kashmir Discussion
In a significant development in Bengaluru, the Azim Premji University (APU) registrar has filed a formal police complaint against office-bearers of the Spark Reading Circle. This action comes hours after members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest on the university campus in Sarjapur on Tuesday evening.
Tension and Arrests on Campus
Tension gripped the APU campus after ABVP activists forcefully entered to oppose a scheduled discussion on Kashmir. The situation escalated, resulting in the arrest of 25 ABVP members on charges of trespassing and vandalism. All arrested individuals were subsequently released on bail on Wednesday. As a precautionary measure, authorities deployed two platoons of the State Reserve Police Force at the university to maintain order.
University's Official Complaint Details
In his detailed complaint to Sarjapur police, APU registrar Rishikesh BS stated unequivocally that the university administration had no prior knowledge or approval of the event. The discussion was reportedly organized by Spark APU, a reading circle affiliated with the All India Students' Association (AISA), at Kabira, a designated campus space for cultural activities.
Rishikesh included the complete text of social media posts published by Spark Reading Circle in his police complaint. He alleged that following the circulation of these posts, ABVP activists entered the campus, leading to attacks on a student and a security personnel, along with vandalism of boards and other materials.
The registrar clarified: "We were never approached by Spark Reading Circle members, nor was any written permission given to them. In the past, Spark Reading Circle has spread false and defamatory information about our institution. Now, they have made communally hateful messages by taking the name of our institution."
Legal Action and Charges Filed
Based on the university's complaint, Sarjapur police have registered a case against office-bearers of Spark Reading Circle. The charges include violations under BNS Section 299, which pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding campus discussions on sensitive topics in Bengaluru, with the university taking a firm stance against unauthorized events that lead to disruption and violence.
