Bengaluru- Protests turned chaotic at Azim Premji University (APU) in Sarjapur when members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) forced entry onto the campus, alleging that a student collective was planning an "anti-national" seminar on the 1991 Kunan Poshpora incident in Jammu and Kashmir.
The incident began around 6 pm when ABVP activists gathered outside the university gates. They accused SPARK (Spark APU Reading Circle), a student collective affiliated with the All India Students' Association (AISA), of organising a discussion titled "Kunan Poshpora-35 years after the incident" to mark the anniversary of alleged mass sexual violence by security forces in two Kashmiri villages on February 23-24, 1991. ABVP claimed the event promoted separatist ideologies, portrayed the Indian Army negatively, and questioned Jammu and Kashmir's integration with India. Posters and banners raised by the protesters condemned "Kashmir separatist forces" and demanded action against the organisers.
The group allegedly forced open the gate and entered the premises, shouting slogans, staging a dharna inside the campus, and waving national flags and ABVP banners. They vandalised property by smearing black ink on the university’s main signage and name board, spray-painting "Ban SPARK" on walls and signboards, and, according to some accounts, damaging fixtures with rods or sticks. Reports also mention assaults on security guards and at least one student during the confrontation.
Azim Premji University issued a clear statement denying any authorisation or occurrence of the event:
"On Tuesday evening, around 6 p.m., a group of 20 people forced their way into our campus in Bengaluru. They shouted slogans, vandalised some of the property, and assaulted a few of our security guards and students. We reported the incident immediately to the Sarjapura Police. The police acted swiftly and rounded them up."
The university added:
"The Azim Premji University had not authorised any event of this nature. The university follows strict procedures before any event is held on campus. This event, which was allegedly planned by a small group of students, did not happen at all. We strongly condemn the ruckus and violence that was unleashed on our campus by this external group of people."
Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Chandrakanth M.V. confirmed that the protesters were taken into preventive custody to maintain law and order. Two platoons of the State Reserve Police were deployed on campus. An FIR has been registered against approximately 25 ABVP activists for vandalism and assault on security personnel. Police stated that all precautionary measures were taken and that investigations are ongoing. No major disturbances have been reported since.
Later in the evening, hundreds of APU students gathered inside the campus in a counter-protest against the ABVP’s actions, describing the incident as an "alarming attack on academic freedom and democratic dissent." AISA representatives condemned the vandalism as a deliberate attempt to stifle debate and critical thinking on campus. One student reportedly sustained injuries and was taken to hospital after questioning the protesters.
ABVP had earlier issued a press release calling APU a "centre for sessions against the sovereignty and integrity of our nation, Kashmir separatism and against the armed forces." The group has demanded disciplinary action against SPARK and a ban on AISA and its affiliate organisations immediately and an inquiry against the students and leaders organising such events on the university campus.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that police are handling the matter and those acting against the law will be punished. State Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao criticised the incident as "hooliganism" characteristic of RSS/ABVP ideology, urging proper complaints instead of vigilante action.
You can also join our WhatsApp group to get premium and selected news of The Mooknayak on WhatsApp. Click here to join the WhatsApp group.