ABVP not singled out, all outfits with political links barred: Jammu University V-C

Jammu: Undeterred by criticism over the implementation of a rule to bar all student outfits with political links on the campus, Jammu University Vice Chancellor RD Sharma denied allegations that ABVP has been banned from entering the varsity’s campus, saying it has not been singled out. [caption id=“attachment_2772916” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of ABVP supporters. AFP[/caption] “ABVP has not been singled out and all student outfits with political links have been barred. We have implemented rules of Jammu University. They were not framed by me but existed much before me,” Sharma told PTI. “It is meant for all the student organisations affiliated with political bodies which are not permitted to organise their institutional functions at the campus. This is the rule,” he said. Denying allegations of BJP and AVBP that the student panel’s activities have been banned, he said, “It is totally wrong to project that their activities have been banned. There is no question of enforcing any ban.” Hitting out at ABVP, he said, “These just false stories. No other organisation (belonging to other political parties) has protested. They have cooperated with the university’s administration.” “Initially some of them had sought permission for some function but we denied and told them that it is the rule. Some organisation may have got it in the past due to some unholy bargaining. Whatever is rule we will go by it,” he said. “We never discourage student organisations from taking up welfare activities on our campus but they need to be done as per university norms. A number of welfare activities are conducted on our campus through the year,” he added. BJP state president Sat Sharma contradicted the VC by saying they must not be disallowed from holding welfare events and blood donation camps as these are not political activities. He termed the barring of ABVP from campus as unfortunate and said they are prevented from holding events on the campus, giving the impression that these activities are being conducted with a political motive.