Bengaluru, February 24 The ABVP staged a demonstration against the Azim Premji University in the city, alleging that an event at the institution promoted separatism and secession of Jammu and Kashmir, and was an insult to the Indian Army.
The institution denied that the event took place.
Activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad raised slogans, smeared the university's nameplate with black ink, and claimed that the event was part of a larger agenda to "divide" India and Kashmir.
In an official statement, Azim Premji University said that it had not authorized any such event, stating that it follows strict procedures before any event is held on campus.
"This event, allegedly planned by a small group of students, did not take place," it said, and strongly condemned the "disruption" and "violence" that occurred on campus this evening.
The protesters alleged that a programme conducted inside the campus by the All India Students' Association (AISA)-backed organization, Spark, opposed India and promoted anti-national thoughts.
The agitators also claimed that Spark was promoting the idea that Jammu and Kashmir was not a part of India.
A poster shared by the agitators showed that the event was related to the Kunan-Poshpora incident, which reportedly took place on February 23.
The poster read, "Kunan-Poshpora witnessed one of the most gruesome incidents of alleged mass rape on the night of February 23-24, 1991."
"35 years on, not a single conviction has taken place. Despite constant pressure to close the case, the victims are still fighting an unequal battle for justice. This is just one among numerous instances of violence inflicted on the people of Kashmir," the poster by Spark, a students' body, wrote.
In its statement, Azim Premji University said, "Around 6 pm on February 24, a group of 20 people forced their way into our campus... They shouted slogans, vandalized some property, and assaulted a few of our security guards and students. We immediately reported the incident to the local police station (Sarjapura). The police acted swiftly and apprehended them."
According to the university, those who had forced their entry into the campus were protesting about an event that they claimed was going to be held on our campus.
"The Azim Premji University had not authorized any event of this nature. The university follows strict procedures before any event is held on campus. This event, allegedly planned by a small group of students, did not take place," it said.
"We strongly condemn the disruption and violence that was unleashed on our campus by this external group of people," it added.
The ABVP protesters further claimed that when they objected to the event, they were detained inside the campus and allegedly assaulted.
"Through students, they made them hold the Indian flag and assault us with slippers. Our activists, who were holding the Indian flag, were attacked with slippers. We strongly condemn this," a protester said, adding that the organization would continue its agitation until action was taken against the university.
The Bengaluru Rural District Police said in a post on 'X' that protesters had been taken into custody as a precaution, and that all necessary measures were taken to ensure law and order was maintained. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.
ABVP activists also wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking action against the organizers of the event.
They demanded an immediate ban on AISA and its affiliate organizations, and an inquiry into the students and leaders organizing such events on the university campus.