BJP Youth Wing Members Vandalize Bangladesh Food Stall at Pune College Event
In a disturbing incident at Pune's MIT-WPU, members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, vandalized a Bangladesh food stall during an international food event on Tuesday. The event, titled World Cultural Festival, was held with the motto "One World. Many Cultures. One Celebration" and featured food stalls from multiple countries, promoting global harmony.
Details of the Vandalism Incident
The Kothrud police have sought information about the incident, and college authorities confirmed they are in the process of filing a police complaint. A video uploaded by Dushyant Mohol, the Pune president of BJYM, showed members of the outfit confronting students and security guards at the stall, shouting slogans, and later vandalizing the stall. According to an international student present, a group of 20-30 men attacked the stall after the event, and they were not from the college, raising questions about security breaches.
College and Police Response
Ganesh Pokale, Registrar of MIT-WPU, stated that the vandals were outsiders and not affiliated with the college. He emphasized that the institution is in touch with the police and taking steps to file a formal complaint. Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Deshmane confirmed that the Kothrud police are aware of the incident and have reached out to the university for further details to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Political Reactions and Threats
In the caption of the video, Mohol questioned the MIT administration, accusing them of supporting anti-India forces and referencing previous incidents involving Pakistan. He issued a warning, stating that if such activities do not stop, BJYM will respond more aggressively, and any future programs of this nature in Pune will be destroyed. This has sparked concerns about political interference in educational and cultural events.
Impact on Students and Security
The incident has left students, particularly those from Bangladesh, feeling unsafe. One student reported that they had asked all Bangladeshi students to go inside for safety, but one girl was outside and nearly attacked. The lack of ID cards and the outsiders' entry through the main gate have highlighted significant security lapses at the event, prompting calls for stricter measures to protect participants in future college activities.
