A 19 years old student on Saturday was thrashed and his turban forcibly removed by some students during a clash with another group at Delhi University’s Sri Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, days ahead of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections scheduled for September 27.
The video has gone viral on social media triggering criticism across social media as it shows a red-turbaned student being dragged, kicked and assaulted until his turban fell to the ground during the scuffle.
An FIR has been registered under sections 299 (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 115 (2) (Voluntarily causing hurt), 351 (Criminal intimidation) and 3 (5) (When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Maurice Nagar police station in the matter. According to police, Pavit Singh Gujral, a second-year student said that he was attacked during the nomination process for DUSU elections. "I want to bring it to your notice about a criminal incident which happened on Saturday at around 1:57 pm. Nomination process was going on in our college during the said process one Sajan Tomar and his accomplices attacked me forcibly, removed my turban, beat me, my kesh (hairs) were pulled and I was also abused by Sajan Tomar,†he said in an FIR.
He stated, “My T-shirt was torn and I was attacked by his group. I am not feeling safe in college and I feel that I have a risk to my life. I request you to provide me security.â€
A senior police officer said that teams have been formed to nab the accused. Meanwhile, the college is yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
Meanwhile, the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) expressed its deep concern over the unfortunate incident and said that it has been consistently raising issues of lack of security and increasing violence inside the campus.
NSUI National President Varun Choudhary stated, “Incident at Khalsa College is depiction of increasing violence inside Delhi University today. Students are not safe on campus, and it is high time that the university administration takes responsibility for the safety and security of its students.â€
He added that they demand strict and immediate action against the individuals involved in this shameful incident.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also condemned the incident and said that it is of the clear opinion that violence has no place in educational campuses. It also raised suspicion on the involvement of NSUI, Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) Student Organization of India (SOI) and Students of Delhi (SOD) in the violence that erupted.
“Proper representation of students is necessary to raise the issues of students in educational institutions, the student union elections being held in Delhi University will give direction to the development of democratic values among the students. Student union elections should be fair and peaceful,†it said.
