EFLU Suspends 14 Students Following Violent NSUI-ABVP Campus Clashes in Hyderabad
The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) administration in Hyderabad has suspended 14 students following violent clashes between two student groups on campus that left several students injured.
According to university sources, the disciplinary action applies to seven students each from the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The students were suspended on charges of inciting violence and causing damage to official university property.
A four-member enquiry committee comprising senior professors has been constituted to probe the incident and submit a report within 10 days. All 14 students will remain suspended until the committee submits its findings. Additionally, university authorities directed one NSUI student to vacate hostel accommodation on charges of bringing a Congress MLC onto the campus premises.
In response to the action, the EFLU Students Union staged a demonstration demanding the immediate revocation of the suspensions and calling for an independent enquiry committee to look into the matter.
The violent confrontations took place on August 14 following a dispute during an ABVP demonstration at a women's hostel the previous day. According to the ABVP unit, its members had staged a protest on August 13 regarding basic hostel amenities, such as safe drinking water and clean washrooms, and against remarks allegedly made by a warden to two female students. The ABVP alleged that NSUI members disrupted the gathering and later barged into a BA student's room around 3 a.m. on August 14, assaulting him and triggering the wider clash. ABVP also stated that seven of its members were arrested following the incident.
Conversely, the NSUI alleged that ABVP members made casteist slurs against a student and assaulted the EFLU Students' Union Vice-President. NSUI members further claimed that a group from ABVP attacked them with sticks and glass bottles, resulting in injuries to multiple students.
