Hyderabad, India – The Students’ Union at the University of Hyderabad concluded an eight-day protest on Saturday, April 28, following assurances from the university administration to investigate a violent attack that took place on campus on April 17 during Rama Navami celebrations.
The protest, which began as a demand for immediate action regarding the alleged attack by ABVP members on left-wing Student Federation of India (SFI) students and the Students’ Union president Ateeq Ahmed, ended after the administration committed to delivering a report on the incident by Tuesday, April 30.
During the event, a student from ABVP was said to have initiated the attack on a Muslim SFI student at J-hostel, with other ABVP members joining in and assaulting those who tried to intervene. According to an anonymous SFI student leader, the altercation stemmed from a disagreement over a Hindutva pop song promoting communal hatred that was played at a department event earlier in the month.
Allegations were made that the ABVP members involved in the attack held influential positions within the organization and had been absent from classes for multiple semesters, causing concern for the safety of students on campus. The Students’ Union had been demanding swift action against the perpetrators to ensure the security of all students.
Additionally, the All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA) issued a statement denouncing both the police and university administration for downplaying the severity of the attack as merely a clash between two groups. ALIFA urged the university to address ongoing issues related to student misconduct and overstaying on campus to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The aftermath of the attack prompted a sit-in protest by students seeking justice and accountability from the university. Despite the formation of a committee to investigate the violence, students insisted on a thorough inquiry to address the underlying issues leading to such incidents.
The case has drawn parallels to a previous incident involving the disappearance of Najeeb Ahmed in 2016, who went missing after an altercation with ABVP members at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Ahmed’s case remains unsolved, prompting ongoing demands for justice and transparency in addressing campus violence.