VARANASI: Tension was happening on the BHU campus on Sunday even as the city witnessed protests and minor skirmishes after a gloomy night of violence and inflammable over the issue of eve-teasing. Except for minor exchange blows between police and a group of students trying to take out a peace march, no other untoward incident took place on the campus. The university administration has advanced the puja holidays from September 28 to 25. The campus will now be opened on October 3.
On Saturday night, protests against the alleged sexual harassment of a student took a violent turn on the campus when seven students, including girls, and two journalists were hurt in lathicharge. Police were able to bring the condition under control only by 3 am on Sunday. Tension prevailed on the campus through the day, forcing the university administration to go forward the puja holidays from September 28 to 25. The campus will now be opened on October 3.
The protesting students were trying to go into the vicechancellor's house on Saturday night when they were caned.
In retaliation, students allegedly hurled petrol bombs and resorted to brick-batting in which some policemen were injured. Violence explodes at BHU hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi left his Lok Sabha constituency after a two-day visit. Taking cognizance of the violence, CM Aditya Nath Yogi has sought a report from divisional commissioner Nitin Gokarn. With the campus under the shadow of over 1,500 security men on Sunday, frenzied political activity took place outside with former student union leaders, academics and employees taking out an all-party march. UP Congress Committee chief Raj Babbar and former Congress MP PL Punia were detained while trying to reach the campus, but were released later. Security forces staged a flag march late Sunday evening.
The district administration also announced that other universities, including Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University and colleges affiliated to them, would stay put closed till October 2.
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