A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a lathicharge by the police in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) where a protest on Sunday night against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent. The violence erupted after some students, protesting against the incident on Thursday, wanted to meet the university’s vice-chancellor at his residence last night, according to the police and BHU sources. Security guards of the university stopped the students and informed the police, according to university sources. A BHU spokesperson said some students wanted to “forcibly” enter the VC’s residence but they were stopped by the BHU security guards. Subsequently, there was stone pelting by “outsiders” who had joined the students, he said. The police baton charged the students in a bid to disperse them. A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in the lathicharge, the varsity sources said. The police sources said some of its personnel were injured in the clashes during which the students allegedly indulged in arson. Rajiv Singh, the station officer of the Lanka police station, said that 16 students, who had been detained after the incident, were released on Sunday evening. Following the violence, the district administration declared holidays from tomorrow till 2 October in all colleges and universities in Varanasi. The BHU had earlier announced that the holidays would start from 28 September. [caption id=“attachment_4078471” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of BHU protests. PTI[/caption] Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday sought a report from the divisional commissioner about the incident as various political parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), criticised the government and condemned the police action. “I have sought a report from the divisional commissioner, Varanasi, about the entire incident,” Adityanath said in Lucknow. The baton charge on journalists led to protests in Lucknow with some scribes staging a sit-in near the chief minister’s residence. They later submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate demanding action against the guilty. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, “The government should resolve the issue by talks, not by lathicharge. It is condemnable. Action should be taken against the guilty.” Congress leaders Raj Babbar and PL Punia, along with scores of party activists, were detained today when they tried to visit the BHU. They were later released. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP over the alleged police lathicharge on female students. Attaching a link to a video of the students who alleged that they were beaten up by male policemen at the campus, Gandhi tweeted, “BJP version of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in BHU.” CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted, “Only a barbaric govt unleashes male police with lathis on women students. Why is BJP-RSS so scared of students?” Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav denounced the alleged police action against the students and said the issue will be raised in Parliament. The BHU issued a statement last night saying that the ‘dharna’ by the students just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit was “politically motivated” to malign the image of the university. The alleged eve-teasing incident had occurred on Thursday night after which the students started the protest. The university also said that security guards were regularly patrolling the campus and assistance from the police had been sought to maintain peace in the campus. Senior officials, including District Magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and Superintendent of Police Dinesh Singh, have visited the campus and police presence outside it has been beefed up. Nearly 1,500 police personnel, including contingents of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), have been deployed to maintain law and order in the campus. BHU students said that they undertook the protest near the university’s main gate against rising incidents of alleged eve-teasing on the campus. A woman student of the Arts Faculty was allegedly harassed by three motorcycle-borne men inside the campus while she was returning to her hostel, triggering the dharna. According to the complainant, the men abused her and fled when she resisted their attempts. The woman alleged that security guards, about 100 metres from where the incident happened, did nothing to stop them. She said her warden, instead of taking up the issue with her superiors, asked her why was she was returning late to the hostel. The warden’s response angered the students who sat on a ‘dharna’ at the main gate midnight Thursday. BHU students have alleged they have to face eve-teasers on the campus regularly and the varsity administration was not taking any action to stop the miscreants. The police and BHU professors tried to pacify the students on Saturday, but they refused to end their protest and sought assurance from the university vice-chancellor. A press release issued by the information department of Varanasi said that a case has been registered against a Facebook page under the cyber law for allegedly posting provocative photos and videos relating to the violence. With inputs from PTI
BHU students protests highlights: Narendra Modi 'unhappy' over incident, asks UP CM to act against guilty
A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a lathicharge by the police in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) where a protest on Sunday night against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent.
 "BHU students protests highlights: Narendra Modi 'unhappy' over incident, asks UP CM to act against guilty")
BHU students stage protest in Delhi
The students of BHU staged an agitation in the national capital and termed the protest on the night of 23 September as an outburst after years of their sufferings going unheard. The students accused the police of abruptly indulging in baton charge without making any announcements.
An undergraduate student of BHU, Mineshi Mishra, who claims to have been beaten up by the police alleged that gender sensitisation was non-existent on the campus. – PTI
Varsity is now a rehabilitation centre for incompetent, lumpen legatees of academic dons
There was something eclectic about the Banaras Hindu University. As one crossed the gates, the sprawling campus came in view, representing a microcosm of the entire universe of education. Driving from the Sir Sunderlal hospital to the IIT and dairy farms at the end of the university, one would simply marvel at the genius of the man who founded it – Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya.
But the recent episode alleged sexual harassment followed by girl students’ protests, subsequent use of force against them and its brazen justification by vice-chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi confirm the fear that there is something deeply rotten in the BHU. It has been rotting there for decades and has only now exposed itself in the most virulent form.
Read Ajay Singh’s opinion piece _here_
Yogi Adityanath suggests better communication to avoid BHU-like incidents
Yogi Adityanath suggested better communication between students and vice chancellors of central universities to prevent BHU-like incidents. On alleged baton-charge on journalists, he said action will be taken immediately after getting the final report. – PTI
A high-level official report noted that proper and timely communication with prptesting girl students by the BHU administration could have prevented the problem from escalating, The Times of India reported.
The official asked to investigate the matter said that university authorities did not deal sensitively with the complaint of the girl who was molested.
Prima facie probe suggest role of anti-social elements: Yogi Adityanath
Yogi Adityanath said the recent incidents in the Banaras Hindu University smacked of a “conspiracy” as prima facie reports suggest the role of anti-social elements. He told reporters that those involved in spreading anarchy on the campus will not be spared at any cost.
“Prima facie investigation suggests it is a conspiracy by anti-social elements,” he said. The chief minister said the proctorial board of the university should have taken timely measures to ensure that the trouble did not escalate. – PTI
Samajwadi Party workers hold sit-in in Varanasi
Samajwadi Party workers raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and over 200 party workers were detained while they were going to meet the injured students.
Samajwadi Party’s state spokesperson Manoj Rai Dhoopchandi said a special committee comprising senior party leaders was heading to BHU to meet the injured students.
According to Hindustan Times, data collected by the University Grants Commission between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 shows that one in every four alleged cases of sexual harassment in India’s universities come from colleges in Uttar Pradesh
BHU failing women students with its ‘paternal’ and sexist policies
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Each of the 18 hostels run for women at the university has a separate curfew. Some hostels close at 6:00 pm, others which are more lax stay, open till 8 pm. Visitors staying late are required to fill in paperwork and students who stay out late have to deal with authorities ringing up their parents.
These measures are ostensibly in place to ensure that women are safe on campus. But safety measures cannot take away their right to access education on the same footing as men. After all, a university’s aim is to educate.
Read the entire article _here_
UP govt accuses Opposition of trying to vitiate academic atmosphere
Uttar Pradesh government spokesperson Srikant Sharma accused the Opposition parties of trying to vitiate the academic atmosphere. “If they wish to do politics, they should do it with us and not with students. They should keep away from holding agitations in campuses,” he said.
Retired Allahabad HC judge to probe BHU violence
V-C Tripathi ordered an inquiry into the incident and nominated retired Allahabad High Court judge to probe the incident. Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also ordered a judicial probe.
#BHU admin nominates retired #Allahabad HC Judge Justice #VKDixit to probe into recent series of incidents during students’ agitation.
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 27, 2017
Youth Congress holds protests against lathi-charge at BHU
The Youth Congress members staged a protest against the police action on students of BHU. “Where on one hand the BJP government spent crores of rupees on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and on the other, reality on ground level is completely opposite. Last night in BHU, female students were attacked by armed police forces. They pushed them, shoved them around and attacked them with sticks. The students had head and body injuries,” the Youth Congress said in a statement.
While talking to Hindustan Times, a girl student oh BHU said, “the violence has pained us and its scars will stay on our minds forever. What is more painful is that action is yet to be taken against the accused involved in sexual harassment of the BHU student.”
NHRC issues notice to V-C Tripathi, Uttar Pradesh government
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the BHU vice-chancellor over alleged inaction on “complaints of eve-teasing” on the campus, and the police action against the students, who were protesting over the issue.
The NHRC said it has taken cognisance of media reports about alleged inaction on the part of the Banaras Hindu University authorities on a “complaint of eve-teasing and subsequent use of unwarranted manhandling and thrashing of agitating students, mostly women, by the Uttar Pradesh Police”. – PTI
BHU chief proctor takes moral responsibility, resigns
#NewsAlert -- BHU Chief Proctor ON Singh has resigned. Claims to have stepped down on moral grounds pic.twitter.com/guxqqnrdi0
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 27, 2017
Watch: A teacher injured in clashes narrates her story
In Pictures: Students of Uday Pratap college protesting at Varanasi district headquarters
After police lathicharge at BHU, many fall for a fake image not related to the incident
Amid massive outrage against the varsity administration, many images of injured students were shared on social media users. However, a fake image too found it’s way into the news stream. An image showing a young woman badly injured was shared by several people including Prashant Bhushan, Sanjay Singh, Ashok Gehlot, Mrinal Pandey and Swati Chaturvedi, to name a few. However, as AltNews pointed out, the image was from a different time and location which was being used out of context.
Image on the left is being shared as a victim of lathi-charge in BHU. In reality, she was attacked reportedly because of a one-sided affair. pic.twitter.com/t6nNf1ecC4
— Alt News (@AltNews) September 24, 2017
AAP leader Ashutosh condemns BHU violence
Now BJP leaders are saying BHU girls protest is like naxalite thing. How sick one can be ? Typical of their ideology ? Not surprised !!
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 25, 2017
How many eve teasers in BHU r arrested or detained?How many FIRs registered ag such male students?It is sick.FIRs registered ag 1200 girls.
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 25, 2017
Subramanian Swamy claims Naxal-hand behind BHU violence
UP CM Yogi Adityanath has taken the right decision, this looks like a Naxalite Movement:@Swamy39 on BHU protests #BHUClash pic.twitter.com/nesWwWJ6SN
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 25, 2017
FIR against 1000 students for BHU violence
An FIR has been registered against over 1,000 students in connection with the violence in the Banaras Hindu University here and also against policemen involved in the baton-charge on protestors.
Seperate FIRs have been registered at the Lanka Police Station in connection with the violence on the campus, the police said on Monday. Besides the students, an FIR has been filed against unidentified policemen involved in the baton-charge.
Sack VC, set up a probe, says Congress
The Congress today hit out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over a lathi-charge on women students of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and demanded the immediate sacking of the vice chancellor and a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge into the incident.
Describing the VC as “incorrigible” and “insensitive”, Congress leader Manish Tewari asked Modi if such a person could head an institute of academic excellence like the BHU.
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot questions Modi’s silence on BHU violence
PM has not said a word abt this atrocity committed in his own constituency, wch also coincided wd his visit n in a State ruled by BJP. #BHU
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) September 25, 2017
Varanasi DM to meet students who claim to have evidence of police brutality
Varansi District Magistrate has called few students of MA first year to meet him. The students claimed they have some evidence against the brutality of police in women’s hostel.
V-C blames outsiders for BHU violence, claims pre-planned conspiracy behind incident
The Vice-Chancellor of BHU GC Tripathi spoke to The Times of India about the incident. The V-C told the newspaper that the timing of the stir raises some suspicion. He said that protesting students wanted to talk to him at the university gate just when the prime minister’s cavalcade was to pass from the area.
“The protestors demanded talks with me at the main gate before PM Narendra Modi’s cavalcade was to pass. Had I visited there at that time, the protesters could have created unruly scene. The protestors became further active after the change in route of the PM’s cavalcade,” he said.
Congress question’s Modi’s silence on BHU violence
Congress party questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the BHU incident, asking that as the local MP, shouldn’t the prime minister at least comment on the incident. Congress spokesperson, Manish Tewari said that Modi was quite vocal on twitter over a range of issues, then why hasn’t he commented on the brutal action against female students in his Lok Sabha constituency.
BBC Hindi’s satirical take at BHU violence
CARTOON OF THE DAY: बीएचयू में प्रदर्शन कर रहीं छात्राओं पर लाठीचार्ज और नया नारा! #BBCHindiCartoons https://t.co/1k5ygsDsol pic.twitter.com/SQqWFbEk0E
— BBC News Hindi (@BBCHindi) September 25, 2017
BHU female students allege, warden told them to ‘forget’ molestation incident
The warden of BHU women’s hostel, apparently told the victims of molestation to “forget about the incident” claiming it’s no big deal, according to Hindustan.
PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have talked to UP CM Adityanath over BHU incident: Nitin Gadkari pic.twitter.com/o0IXYmPXbt
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017
Mayawati condemns violence against female students at BHU campus
Narendra Modi, Amit Shah speak to Yogi Adityanath over varsity violence
On the sidelines of BJP’s national executive meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah spoke to UP CM Yogi Adityanath about the violence in BHU campus. Modi sought update from the chief minister over the issue.
Students protest at UP Bhawan in Delhi in solidarity with BHU students
#bhu_molestation दिल्ली-यूपी भवन पर छात्रों का प्रदर्शन,BHU की घटना के विरोध में उतरे छात्र,दिल्ली यूनिवर्सिटी समेत कई कॉलेजों के हैं छात्र
— News18 Uttar Pradesh (@News18UP) September 25, 2017
Rajasthan AAP student wing protests against BHU violence in Jaipur
#BHUClash
— Media (@MediaSuffer) September 25, 2017
Protest by CYSS RJ Students against BHU Incident in Jaipur Today.
CYSSRJ DrKumarVishwas https://t.co/jvTC3K7lua
Congress leader Raj Babbar detained
Congress leader Raj Babbar, who had gone to meet the students at the violence-hit BHU campus was detained by the Varanasi Police.
Watch: Students from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi
#BHUClash: Students from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi pic.twitter.com/Uhg4HbThO3
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 25, 2017
Varanasi SSP orders BHU administration to change dress of varsity security officials
Varanasi SSP has written a letter to the BHU administration ordering them to change the dress of BHU security officials, which is similar to the dress of Uttar Pradesh police, within 24 hours.
BHU V-C takes responsibility for campus violence, rubbishes allegations of imposing RSS agenda in varsity
According to The Times of India, Banaras Hindu University’s Vice-Chancellor GC Tripathi said that he takes responsibility for the “untoward incidents” on the campus. However, he blamed external elements, apart from 150-200 varsity students for fanning the violence. He also rubbished claims that he was trying to impose RSS agenda in the university.
Activist Teesta Setalvad detained while heading to BHU campus
Activist Teesta Setalvad was prevented by the district administration from visiting the volatile BHU-campus. She was taken to the police lines station while she was enroute BHU campus from the airport.
All BHU-affiliated degree colleges to remain closed until 2 October
Varanasi administration has announced that due to the violence on campus, all degree colleges adn universities in the city will remain closed until 2 October.
Students in Delhi protest BHU violence
Delhi University students led by the Congress student wing, NSUI, on Monday held protests in the capital to condemn police action against some female students who were demonstrating against alleged molestation on the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus in Varanasi.
The Delhi students critcised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for failing to protect female students on the BHU campus after police baton-charged them and fired in the air on Saturday night.
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