A peaceful Palestine Solidarity march organised by the Students’ Union at EFLU’s Sagar Square late Tuesday evening was followed by an escalation from ABVP and led to a violent confrontation.
After the demonstration dispersed, members of the ABVP gathered there, raising slogans and tearing down the remaining Palestine flag and posters, students said to Maktoob.
The vandalism drew students from all groups, leading to a standoff where ABVP members began manhandling opposing students.
When police arrived, protesting students said, they sided with ABVP, ignoring the initial vandalism and assault, and ordering the removal of all Palestine protest materials.
With police support, ABVP cadres then dragged a protester wearing a Keffiyah, who was subsequently detained by the police, a student told Maktoob.
The student collective marched toward the main gate to protest the police’s bias, where the situation severely deteriorated.
Police officers are accused of using excessive force, with male officers manhandling female student leaders, including the Union VP and Joint Secretary, using derogatory language, and threatening individuals with FIRs, said students.
“One officer took out and waved a gun while dispersing the students,” said a student.
Police then deployed forces across the campus, effectively placing it under a curfew as they herded students to their hostels.
“The aggressive police action and threats of future legal charges have left the student body in a palpable state of fear and intimidation, facing what they perceive as targeted police repression against their right to protest,” said a student.
