Published Feb 25, 2026 | 8:12 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 25, 2026 | 8:12 AM
Students held a counter-protest demanding government action against ABVP.
Synopsis: ABVP members barged into Azim Premji University in Bengaluru, alleging that a programme conducted on the campus “opposed India and promoted anti-national thoughts.” While the students said ABVP members vandalised the university and attacked a student, the university issued a statement saying that the event was not authorised by it, adding that it did not even take place.
Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) barged into Azim Premji University in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 24 February, in protest, alleging that a programme conducted on the campus by Spark, an All India Students’ Association (AISA) backed organisation, “opposed India and promoted anti-national thoughts.”
The event was organised to discuss the alleged mass rape of Kashmiri women in Kunan Poshpora village in Kupwara by Indian armed forces on 23 February 1991.
Meanwhile, Students of Azim Premji University held a counter-protest on Tuesday night, demanding that the government take action against ABVP.
The students said ABVP members vandalised the university and attacked a student.
“ABVP members stormed the campus premises, vandalised and damaged property in an attempt to silence discussion, beat up a student, and intimidate organisers and participants. The student who was beaten up was shifted to a hospital and has lodged an FIR against ABVP,” students of the university said in a statement.
They alleged that the attack by ABVP was organised to silence a discussion organised by students that sought to “centre the voices of Kashmiri women and reflect on questions of justice, memory, and accountability.”
Despite being present at the site, law enforcement personnel mostly remained “passive spectators” as the vandalism and forced entry unfolded, students alleged.
“No immediate or visible attempt was made to prevent the mob from entering the campus or to de-escalate the situation,” they added. Police have reportedly taken about 18 protestors into preventive custody.
Meanwhile, the university issued a statement saying that the event was not authorised by it. Adding that the event did not take place, the university said the incident of violence and vandalism was immediately reported to the police.
“On 24 February evening at around 6 pm, 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 local police station (Sarjapura). The police acted swiftly and rounded them up,” said Azim Premji University in a statement.
“Those who had forced their entry into our campus were protesting about an event that they claimed was going to be held on our campus. 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,” it added.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Anisha Reddy.)
