New Delhi: Members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliate Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) allegedly attacked students at the entrance of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on September 23. A group of BHU students had organised street theatre performances and an open mic event to commemorate one year of student protests in BHU last year demanding equal rights and security against harassment.

As the performances began, members of the ABVP allegedly caused disruptions and physically attacked students, including women. “The ABVP members came in large numbers shouting slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’. They attacked the women who were participating in the event. They event tried to assault students with lathis,” said Swati, president of ‘Students for Change’, a student body that organised the event.

Allegations of sexual harassment have also been made against members of the ABVP. “Some members of the ABVP also tried to harass the women who were present at the event. We resisted strongly. However, they did manage to disrupt and stop our event. They tried to force us back into the hostel,” Swati told The Wire.

The ABVP’s assault allegedly continued for over an hour. “All this while, the administration stood and watched silently. They did not take any action against the ABVP even when we requested them. Instead, we were told to go back to our hostels. This reflects once again after last year, the attitude of the BHU administration which is anti-women and anti-student,” Swati added.

In September last year, the police had resorted to a lathi charge against protesting students, primarily women, who were protesting against the BHU administration for alleged victim shaming of a student who had been sexually harassed and against discriminatory hostel rules.