Barabanki (UP), Sep 2 (PTI) — A confrontation erupted between students and police at Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University over claims regarding an unapproved law course, a senior official reported on Tuesday.
Video footage from Monday, circulated online, depicted police officers armed with batons facing off against students protesting the university's decision to enrol them in a law programme they allege lacks recognition from the Bar Council of India.
The skirmish led to injuries among several students and damage to a Gadia police outpost window. Security personnel were subsequently deployed on campus.
Engaging in the protests, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student organization affiliated with the RSS, accused the university of extorting fees unlawfully and demanded accountability from its administrators.
While videos show officers striking protestors with batons, the police have refuted using excessive force.
"What began as a clash between students and some people from the university escalated. Those injured are receiving medical care. So far, no official complaint has been lodged, and video evidence is currently under review," stated Superintendent of Police, Arpit Vijayvargiya to PTI.
Additional SP (North) Vikas Chandra Tripathi maintained that the officers only separated the conflicting parties and denied the use of batons, emphasizing that "the situation is now calm."
The university categorically denied the accusations, asserting that its law programme holds complete recognition.
Registrar Prof. Neerja Jindal clarified the university's position, stating that the administration was uninvolved in the clash and that misleading information was being disseminated regarding the BCI's approval of the law course.
"The Bar Council of India has posted approval documents for 2022-23 on its site, and the university has paid its affiliation dues up to 2027," Jindal said, noting that a sworn affidavit has been provided to reassure students about their degrees' legitimacy.
ABVP representative Akash Shukla accused authorities of "brutally beating students" as a means to silence rightful protests. The group is demanding a transparent investigation and accountability for those at fault.
The ABVP reported that six injured students were treated at Mayo Hospital, and two others were admitted to the district hospital.
On Monday evening, discontented activists demonstrated outside the District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi's residence, burning his effigy, before marching to the SP's office with slogans opposing the administration, pledging to sustain the protest until decisive action is taken.
Pushpendra Bajpai, ABVP's Awadh state secretary, declared that demonstrations will persist "until the Vice-Chancellor speaks directly with students, the students expelled are reinstated respectfully, and the matter of the law degree's approval is made crystal clear."
"We will not endure injustices that threaten student welfare," Bajpai asserted.
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