HYDERABAD: Six students of the English and Foreign Languages University (Eflu) were served notices by the police for allegedly 'promoting enmity between classes' by observing the 'Asura pride week' on campus.

The students were booked under a non-bailable offence under section 153 (A) of the IPC. As per the notice, students have to appear before the police in three days. If convicted, the students could be sentenced to three years of imprisonment, be fined or both.

The students were part of the organising committee of the fest aimed at bringing out elements of the Dravidian and Dalit culture. Among those booked are two girls pursuing Ph D. The other four male students belonging to the SC, ST and OBC communities are pursuing research as well.

The ' Asura week' was observed for about four days in the second week of this month. More than 25 students participated in the celebrations at the varsity. Students held face painting and sculpture competitions showing asuras in a good light with an intention to subvert the common 'demon' concept.

The event in Eflu was an offshoot of similar celebrations organised by students of OU in the past three years. Student leaders of Eflu said that the administration had neither informed nor warned them before lodging a police complaint. "It is deplorable that the varsity approached OU police without even serving a formal warning either in person or through a memo to the students in question. It was not long ago that a student had committed suicide on campus for being taken to the police station," said a student leader.

Eflu students who held a meeting on Thursday said they will hold protests against the varsity administration in the coming days. "The administration has to clarify whose religious sentiments were hurt," the indignant students demanded. However, the administration, maintained that police action was sought as they had received complaints from a certain section of students stating that their religious sentiments were hurt.

The complaint letter from the administration was signed by Kona Prakash Reddy, deputy proctor of the university who was unavailable for comment. When asked about the future course of action, OU inspector, P Ashok said that they will look into the visual content (sculptures and paintings) displayed during the festivities as part of the investigation. "If we do not find any offensive content, the case will be dropped," he said.

Senior academics are expected to conduct talks on diverse cultural celebrations at Eflu in the coming days. "The talks will shed light on why different modes of celebrations are required in a multicultural society. A similar discussion was held as part of an open forum during the Asura pride week earlier," said a miffed student leader.

