BHU students to move NHRC, SC over varsity violence

Varanasi, Sep 20 (UNI) Banaras Hindu University (BHU) students will petition the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Supreme Court over last evening's violence on the central varsity campus, which resulted in injuries to several students.

Alleging gross violation of fundamental rights by the BHU administration and proctorial board, which last evening resorted to lathicharge on students agitating for restoration of students union, a group of students from the Law School today told mediapersons they will petition the NHRC tomorrow over the issue.

''The students protesting peacefully for restoration of democracy on the BHU campus were attacked by proctorial board personnel. The varsity security also entered the Birla Hostel and lathicharged students who were in no way connected with the agitation and did not even spare the parents of a student who were having dinner with their son in his room,'' Rajiv Ranjan, one the law students alleged.

''We are petitioning the NHRC and will also submit to the apex human rights body, the news reports and video clippings as a proof of cruelty by proctorial board personnel,'' he added.

The budding lawyers will later move the Supreme Court in this connection, he claimed.

Meanwhile, barring sporadic instances of boycott of classes by students of Faculty of Arts and Social Science, the situation on the sprawling campus remained calm. Round the clock police patrol was underway on the campus to prevent any eventuality.

''The situation is totally normal and no violence was reported from anywhere on the campus today,'' Proctorial Board sources said.

The campus of largest Asian varsity, last evening witnessed violent incidents, as students agitating for the restoration of students union in BHU were allegedly lathicharged by proctorial board personnel. Later, the students also indulged in stone pelting.

''The proctorial board personnel acted tough with students as they were violating BHU administration's directive prohibiting any demonstration or slogan shouting on the campus,'' Chief Proctor S K Singh said.

Several students and two proctorial board personnel sustained injuries in the violence. At least 25 students also courted arrest.

Students Union election in BHU were last held in 1996.

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