india

Updated: Jun 24, 2015 21:00 IST

The arrest of a Kashmir University (KU) student for allegedly protesting against the International Day of Yoga sparked protests in the varsity on Wednesday as hundreds of students boycotted their classes.

Protesting students alleged that a scholar from KU's English department, Muzamil Farooq Dar, a resident of Gandibagh-Kakapora, Pulwama, south Kashmir, was arrested on Tuesday night.

Dar allegedly was part of the protest organised on the campus against making students to perform yoga on the International Day of Yoga on June 21.

Demanding his immediate release, students boycotted classes and held demonstrations on the campus. The protesters also locked up the administration block and posted pictures on social networking sites.

"We encircled the vice-chancellor when he was coming out from the varsity mosque and brought the issue into his notice. If the police continue to arrest students, we will certainly launch an agitation on the campus," said a protesting student.

Some reports suggest that Dar was picked up from his rented residence in Sadribal near the campus. The protesting students accused the varsity administration of seeking police help to detain students who participated in the anti-yoga protests on the campus. The varsity witnessed overnight protests preceding the yoga event to be held on June 21.

Both the university administration and the police are muted over the issue.

Condemning the arrest, Hurriyat leader Javaid Ahmad Mir accused the university authorities of "openly working to implement the RSS agenda".

"It is very unfortunate that KU authorities for just the mere personal interests are busy in petty politicking...If such activities to play with the future of our students will continue, the responsibility of the aftermath consequences will be on the authorities and the present ruling dispensation," warned Mir.