A clash erupted between students political parties at Delhi’s South Asian University (SAU) over the serving of non-vegetarian food in the university mess on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Wednesday. Clash occured between the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on the issue. Both student organizations have accused each other of inciting violence.
According to the police, the PCR received a call at Maidangarhi Police Station around 3:45 PM on Wednesday regarding a quarrel at SAU. When officers arrived, they found an altercation unfolding in the mess.
The SAU administration has yet to release an official statement, but the Delhi Police confirmed that they haven’t received any formal complaint. Meanwhile, the university has launched an internal inquiry into the matter.
About The Incident
ABVP claims that SFI members tried to forcibly serve non-vegetarian food to fasting students at a separate place in the mess. ABVP says that this is a violation of religious freedom and an attempt to spoil religious harmony. They have demanded a fair investigation and action against the culprits.
ABVP Statement
However, ABVP pushed back against these claims, accusing SFI members of forcibly trying to serve non-vegetarian food in a mess meant for students observing a fast.
“A large number of students observed fast on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri at South Asian University. Respecting religious faith and tradition, these students had earlier requested the mess administration to arrange satvik food for them on this special day. Accepting this demand of the students, the university administration arranged satvik food in one of the two different messes. When satvik food was being served in the mess designated for fasting students, people associated with SFI tried to forcibly serve non-veg there,” the ABVP said in its official statement.
What SFI Said
The Students’ Federation of India accused the ABVP of attacking the university students for not adhering to their demand to stop serving non-vegetarian food on Maha Shivratri. “ABVP viciously attacked the students of South Asian University in the university mess because they were not complying with ABVP’s draconian and undemocratic demand that no non-veg should be served in the university mess owing to Maha Shivratri. ABVP goons are seen on video manhandling and attacking students in the mess. The goons grabbed the hair of women students and dragged them violently during the attack. They also attacked the mess staff for serving non-veg food,” SFI said in an official statement.
Students Demand An Investigation
This incident has the potential to create tension at SAU. Clashes between the two student organizations have occurred multiple times in the past. This time, the controversy erupted over non-vegetarian food being served on Maha Shivratri, sparking widespread discussion. The incident has left students both fearful and outraged, with many strongly condemning it.
Students are urging the university administration to take swift action and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future. It remains to be seen what steps the police and the university authorities will take. Additionally, the impact of this incident on SAU’s overall atmosphere will be closely watched.
Purported videos of the clash have surfaced online. SFI Delhi also posted a video on its X handle, claiming that ABVP members attacked women students in the SAU mess.
