BHU students’ stir turns violent, 1 hurt

The varsity administration claimed that the students also entered the V-C’s office and misbehaved with teachers and officials. They had to be evacuated by security guards.

The students then resorted to damaging vehicles parked on the central office building premises.

University officials also claimed that the violence was handiwork of elements from outside the campus.

Chief Proctor Prof A K Joshi announced that the students’ council elections, scheduled to be over by November 27, has been postponed in the wake of the existing situation.

Deputy Inspector General (Varanasi Range) S K Bhagat, said: “The police had to intervene after the students closed the main gate and were trying to close down other gates. Mild force was used. The agitated students torched the pick-up van of a milk vendor and damaged property at a few other points. Currently the situation is under control, after the students council polls were postponed. We are dealing with the situation in a mature way as the students are agitated.”

Meanwhile, Prof Joshi has sought resignation from the post of Chief Proctor. He also alleged that the acting Vice-Chancellor did not pay attention to his advice, wherein he had asked him not to go ahead with the elections. “The new V-C is likely to be appointed within a few days. Semester exams are close by. I had advised him against going ahead with the elections. But, he was being advised by people who were not well versed with the actual situation,” Prof Joshi told The Indian Express.

The recent history of conflict between BHU students and administration over the campus polls has led to several protests by the student outfits, who are backed by one or the other national party.

Last month, the BHU had sought the views of the students on whether they wanted a students’ council. While many suggested that the council should be given more powers, leaders associated with organisations like ABVP, NSUI and others continued to oppose it, demanding restoration of the students’ union, the election to which has not been held since 1997.

A couple of days ago, when the nomination process for the students’ council election began, these groups had been trying to disrupt the process.