BHU students, journalists injured in lathicharge; Akhilesh, Rahul slam BJP

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A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a lathicharge by the police in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) where a protest on Saturday night against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent.

The violence erupted after some students, protesting against the incident on Thursday, wanted to meet the varsity's vice-chancellor at his residence on Saturday night, according to the police and BHU sources.

Security guards of the university stopped the students and informed the police, according to university sources.

A BHU spokesperson said some students wanted to "forcibly" enter the VC's residence but they were stopped by the Bhu security guards.

Subsequently, there was stone pelting by "outsiders" who had joined the students, he said.The police baton charged the students in a bid to disperse them.

A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in the lathicharge, the varsity sources said.

The police sources said some of its personnel were injured in the clashes during which the students allegedly indulged in arson.

Rajiv Singh, the station officer of the Lanka police station here, said that 16 students, who had been detained after the incident, were released this evening.

Following the violence, the district administration declared holidays from tomorrow till October 2 in all colleges and universities in Varanasi. The BHU had earlier announced that the holidays would start from September 28.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday sought a report from the divisional commissioner about the incident as various political parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), criticised the government and condemned the police action.

"I have sought a report from the divisional commissioner, Varanasi, about the entire incident," Adityanath said in Lucknow.CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted, "Only a barbaric govt unleashes male police with lathis on women students. Why is BJP-RSS so scared of students?"

The baton charge on journalists led to protests in Lucknow with some scribes staging a sit-in near the chief minister's residence. They later submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate demanding action against the guilty.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, "The government should resolve the issue by talks, not by lathicharge. It is condemnable. Action should be taken against the guilty."

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