ABVP & BSCEM Members Clash at Women’s Day Event at DU

Labour rights activist Nodeep Kaur was supposed to address the students at the event, but she was not allowed to.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists on Monday, 8 March, disrupted a Women’s Day programme organised by the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (BSCEM).

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

Clashes ensued outside the Delhi University’s Arts Faculty after Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members on Monday, 8 March, allegedly disrupted a Women’s Day programme organised by the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (BSCEM).

Labour rights activist Nodeep Kaur as well as mothers of Butana rape survivors and the aunt of Gurhmandi rape victim were present at the event as speakers. However, as per the BSCEM, Kaur was not allowed to address the students.

Women’s Day programme organised by the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (BSCEM). (Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

While Nodeep Kaur’s sister Rajveer was delivering a speech, members of the ABVP intervened and tried to disrupt the programme, it was alleged.

Delhi Police sources have, however, informed The Quint that no case has been registered yet.

According to PTI, the Delhi Police has also claimed that it has not received any complaint from either sides so far.

What Does the BSCEM Allege?

According to a statement by the BSCEM:

“The goons hit the students who had joined the programme and police was mere silent spectator on that and even detained our comrade Ravinder Singh and three SFI members Anil, Varkey and Parveen. Police also pulled students to disperse them in which they also torn off the cloths of female and male students (sic).”   

The BSCEM also informed that following a protest outside the Maurice Nagar Police Station, the detained students were released.

Further, the ABVP members allegedly hit a student on the head with a stick. Other students sustained physical injuries as well, the statement added.

The organisation has also alleged that former Delhi University Teachers’ Association President Professor Nandita Narayan, who was present there, was also roughed up by the police.

“Advocate Kukreja from Bhim Army has been hit by the goons,” the statement said, adding, “BsCEM Condemns such attack on Democratic Spaces of Campus (sic).”

What Has the ABVP Alleged?

Meanwhile, the ABVP in a statement has claimed that the Delhi University Students Union was conducting a self-defence training programme for girls where Delhi Police personnel and other defence trainers were present to train them.

“Right outside the venue of the programme, outsiders and ex-students of the university had organised an event wherein posters with objectionable slogans such as “Indian Army Rape women” were displayed. Objectionable slogans were raised just as a few girls led by (DUSU Joint Secretary) Shivangi Kharwal were passing by. At seeing the anti-army posters, they questioned the organisers about the motive of the event.”   

The ABVP has further claimed that in reaction to the questions posed, men present at the spot began to attack the Delhi University Students Union joint secretary.

“She then asked the administration/organisers to remove the anti army posters from the campus. Immediately after this a mob attacked the DUSU Joint Secretary and other girls which later turned into a rough scuffle between the students and outsiders.”

More Details

Meanwhile, Shivangi Karwal has claimed to have filed an official complaint with the Delhi Police.

In the complaint, Kharwal has alleged: “I was attacked by males present in the spot whom I do not know by name but shall recognise once brought in front.”

“I was molested, grabbed, pushed, and my clothes were torn.”

The DUSU joint secretary further asked the police to “find the culprits and take action.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) Anto Alphonse reportedly told PTI:

“Police intervened and pacified the situation before it could escalate. No complaint has been received from either sides.”