A group of students from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) burnt the effigy of the Vice-Chancellor outside his residence on Wednesday night after he organised an iftar party on campus.
“VC is trying to impose a new tradition. This has never happened before in the university. He is trying to politicise the entire situation,” said a university student, Shubham. The agitated students alleged that the country is moving towards a Uniform Civil Code but the VC is trying to indulge in appeasement politics here.
They raised slogans in front of the VC’s residence on the campus, saying that this is against the culture of the university.
“I am here at this university for the last five years, no such party was held earlier. The VC held a press conference to announce this and said that the university is holding an iftar party for the last many years whereas this is the first time any such event was held here. We strongly condemn this decision,” added Shubham.
Another student, Ashirvaad Dubey alleged that the VC chose Mahila Mahavidyalaya to organise the event so that he could polarise the women students and create a divide with his anti-Hindu mindset.
“The VC has no time to listen to the problems of students but he has time for Iftar party. The earlier VC GC Tripathi used to provide ‘Phalahar (fruits)’ during the Navaratri fasts. The new VC not only discouraged that practice but he’s now trying to impose this new tradition. This is an anti-Hindu initiative, and we condemn this. If the VC needs to have Iftar, he can go to AMU or Jamia, he’s not wanted right here,” he added.
Meanwhile, heavy security force was deployed at the university on Thursday after several controversial slogans were written on the walls of the university.
It has been alleged that several members of the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Morcha have written offensive slogans on the walls of the university. “It is inappropriate to write such things on the wall. We are conducting an investigation into the matter by going through the CCTV footage,” said Bhuvan Chandra Kapri, Chief Proctor BHU.
“These all are the deliberate attempts to destroy the peace of the university, and we won’t let it happen. We will make our children aware– they are sensible, hence will understand the actual intentions behind such activities,” he added.
Explaining the history of the BHU, Dr Gyan Prakash Mishra (assistant professor) at the university alleged, “Adjoining the name of Kashmir with BHU and saying that the Brahmins will be removed to transform BHU into Kashmir is very saddening.”
“I believe it is an attempt by several anti-nationals or terrorists (one can call it) are trying to create anarchy in the country, via the BHU to destroy the peace in the state and the country,” said Mishra.
Adding further, he said that the central government, state government, and the university administration should tackle the issue by taking adequate measures.
An investigation into the matter is going on.
