4 days ago
Gujarat University Ganesh Procession Clash Leaves Two Students Injured
Two groups of students at a university in Gujarat held processions for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Their processions met late on Friday night.
An argument began and turned into a fight.
Two students were hurt and taken to a hospital.
Police filed two cases after both groups complained.
Eight students were booked, and police asked them to give statements.
Each group said the other side started the violence.
A university professor also asked officials to consider limiting religious activities on campus.
Two student groups clashed at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda during competing Ganesh processions.
Two students were injured and taken to SSG Hospital for treatment.
Police registered two FIRs based on complaints and cross-complaints, booking eight students.
Police said the KM Hall procession had permission, while the ABVP procession did not.
The groups blamed each other, while a professor separately questioned religious activities on campus.
- Who
- Students from the KM Hall hostel and an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad group; police booked eight students.
- What
- Two competing Ganesh processions led to an argument and physical clash that injured two students.
- Where
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Gujarat, involving the KM Hall and SP Hall hostels.
- When
- Late Friday night, ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi festivities beginning the following week.
- Why
- The groups gave conflicting accounts of how the confrontation began; police said the processions came face to face.
KM Hall Group
ABVP Group
How the clash began
KM Hall Group
KM Hall student Samaksh Dubey alleged that the other group verbally abused them, pushed them and began fighting after being asked to move faster.
ABVP Group
ABVP member Ashish Solanki alleged that the confrontation began when his group was attacked while performing an aarti.
Who was involved
KM Hall Group
The KM Hall group said its students were participating in preparations and the procession; it did not accept the opposing account of responsibility.
ABVP Group
The ABVP alleged that former students who no longer studied at the university were staying at KM Hall and organising programmes.
Religious activities on campus
KM Hall Group
Gadit’s letter argued that a public university should uphold secularism and urged restrictions on puja, aarti, katha and visible religious symbols.
ABVP Group
Students were organising Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and processions at university hostels; the article does not report a formal response from the ABVP or university officials to Gadit’s proposal.
Key facts
- Injured
- Two students
- Police cases
- Two FIRs at Sayajigunj police station
- Students booked
- Eight
- Procession permission
- Police said the KM Hall group had permission, while the ABVP group did not
- Treatment
- Both injured students were taken to SSG Hospital
- Investigation
- Police said the investigation is continuing and notices were issued to the accused
- Related campus debate
- Professor Jagrut Gadit urged a policy against religious rituals and displays on campus
Quotes
Police Inspector SJ Pandiya
Police inspector investigating the university clash
“Two simultaneous processions were taken out last night. One was by the students of KM Hall hostel, who have been organising Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations for the past eight years, and another by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) meant for the SP Hall hostel. An argument broke out between the two groups. It soon escalated into a physical confrontation, leaving two students injured. Both were taken to SSG Hospital for treatment.”
indianexpress.com
“When we tried to push them back, they started pushing and fighting with us. Soon, we were assaulted. We also fought back.”
indianexpress.com
Ashish Solanki
ABVP member and student at the university
“We were performing an aarti when they attacked us, leading to the escalation.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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