On Thursday morning, several wall writings and posters with provocative slogans such as “Kashmir to jhanki hai pura Bharat baaki hai – BCM” appeared on the walls of the campus. Taking cognizance of this, the university administration held a meeting with the police officials after which an FIR was registered against unknown persons in the case of poster and wall writing in the Lanka Police.
Besides this, a group of students gathered near the VC’s residence late on Thursday afternoon and recited Hanuman Chalisi to protest his participation in the Iftar party.
ACP Bhelupur Praveen Kumar Singh said, “On the complaint of the Chief Proctor of BHU, an FIR has been registered under sections 153A (assault or assault on religion, caste) and 505(1) (intent to incite). Indian Penal Code Against unidentified persons for wall writing and displaying posters with provocative messages and slogans.
“The issue of a group of students taking out a march in front of the VC’s residence and burning an effigy was also discussed during the meeting with the BHU officials,” the ACP said.
On Thursday morning, many wall writings about Kashmir and a particular caste were seen in many places in the campus.
Those involved in displaying such messages described him as an activist of the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Morcha, though the students affiliated with the organization denied any involvement. Several posters containing photographs of a missing student, who was later found dead, were also displayed with a message demanding justice for him.
Taking this seriously, BHU Chief Proctor Prof BC Kapdi swung into action and engaged the proctorial board personnel to remove such wall writings and posters. Terming these acts as an attempt to disturb the peace on the campus, he said all those involved would be identified and strict action would be taken against them. He later held a meeting with the police officials following which an FIR was registered.
Earlier, a group of students created an unruly scene on the campus by burning a symbolic effigy of BHU Vice Chancellor Professor Sudhir Kumar Jain in front of his residence after attending an iftar party organized by the teachers and students of Mahila Mahavidyalaya.
The protesters, including Ashirwad Dubey and Shubham, claimed that the VC has started a new tradition of holding an iftar party in the BHU campus. Terming it as “appeasement of a particular community”, he alleged that the VC did not take out time to celebrate other festivals with the students, so they were protesting.
However, BHU spokesperson Dr Rajesh Singh said, “Iftar party is organized every year in the Mahila Mahavidyalaya in the month of Ramzan and is attended by the VC and the registrar. So the allegation of starting a new tradition is baseless.
He also released photos of iftar parties from 2010, 2013 and 2014, showing the then vice-chancellors attending to make it clear that Wednesday’s party at the Mahila Mahavidyalaya was not the beginning of a new tradition.
Earlier, the VC participated in the Iftar party and assured all possible cooperation to improve the facilities in the Mahila Mahavidyalaya for the students. He also took selfies with the contestants.