BJP, Congress spar over Friday night campus clash at COEP Technological University | Pune News
Pune: BJP and Congress on Saturday traded sharp accusations over the clash between the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at the COEP Technological University on Friday night.The clashes occurred ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ event on Saturday, where he interacted with the youth. Security was beefed up at the COEP hostel following the ruckus.Pune police have prohibited political leaders, activists, and office-bearers from entering the COEP campus and hostel for four days from Saturday and booked at least 60 NSUI members for rioting and assault.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the Friday night clash a “precursor” to Rahul Gandhi’s visit, which he dismissed as mere “event management.” He alleged that the Congress was attempting to create controversy to “relaunch” Gandhi.Responding to the allegations, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Nana Patole stated that the BJP was acting out of fear because Gandhi’s visit had garnered immense support from the youth. Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar added that the BJP should “introspect,” alleging that the ruling party was unable to accept Gandhi’s growing popularity.Meanwhile, BJP leader Navnath Ban demanded an inquiry into the funding of the event, alleging that large sums were spent to gather the crowd. Congress state unit head Harshvardhan Sapkal refuted these claims, calling them “totally false” and asserting that students had arrived from across the state on their own. Sapkal further alleged that the attack on students at the hostel was a deliberate attempt by the BJP to tarnish the event’s reputation.The Shivajinagar police registered a case against 60 NSUI members following a complaint lodged by Malhar Patil, an ABVP office-bearer. The FIR includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 189 and 191 (rioting), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).According to the police, the complainant alleged that NSUI members had forced a female student to record a video against her will. When Patil and his friends intervened, they were reportedly abused, pushed, and threatened with dire consequences. While six individuals have been identified in the complaint, no arrests have been made so far.The order prohibiting political leaders, activists, and office-bearers from entering the COEP campus and hostel for four days was issued by deputy commissioner of police (special branch) Prashant Amrutkar under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita following a request from the university administration. The restriction aims to preserve the academic environment and prevent further law-and-order disruptions.The ban on political gatherings, protests, and rallies would remain in force till Aug 26 midnight. Authorities warned that violators would face action under Section 223 of the BNS for disobedience to an official order.
