17 ABVP activists held following protests against Arjun Singh

Varanasi, Aug 20 (UNI) At least 17 Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists, trying to show black flags to Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh were today detained at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), after a brief scuffle.

Police said they had to resort to a ''mild lathicharge'' to disperse ABVP activists trying to show black flags to Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh at BHU campus here.

ABVP -- the students' wing of BJP -- activists had gathered at the BHU campus to show black flags to the HRD Minister over the NCERT books issue and recent fee hike in BHU.

Sensing their plans, the police and proctorial board used mild force to disperse the protestors. When the protestors returned to the spot, the police detained them and took them to Police Lines.

The protestors, mostly belonging to the Mahatama Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith (MGKV) University were freed later, police added.

Mr Singh was addressing a programme of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), when the incident took place outside the Swatantrata Bhawan.

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