Did UP CM Yogi Order an Inquiry into the Lathi Charge on ABVP Workers in Barabanki?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered an inquiry into the lathi charge incident.
- Circle Officer Harshit Chauhan has been removed from his position.
- The investigation is being led by IG Ayodhya Range Praveen Kumar.
- Protests were sparked by allegations of unrecognized law courses.
- ABVP has plans for further protests in response to the police action.
Lucknow, Sep 2 (NationPress) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has acknowledged the incident involving the lathi charge on the members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at Shri Ram Swaroop Memorial University in Barabanki.
In response to his directives, Circle Officer (CO) Harshit Chauhan has been dismissed from his position, and the investigation has been assigned to IG Ayodhya Range Praveen Kumar.
The clash erupted on Monday when ABVP members and students protested at the university, accusing it of continuing admissions in the LLB course despite its recognition being revoked. They also argued that the law program lacked affiliation with the Bar Council of India (BCI).
During the demonstration, ABVP members confronted the police, leading to a lathi charge that resulted in injuries to over 25 individuals.
Officials, however, labeled the protesters as “outsiders” and summoned the police.
The police initially sought to calm the situation, but as tensions rose, they resorted to using batons. Approximately a dozen ABVP members sustained injuries during this intervention.
ABVP Avadh Pradesh state secretary Pushpendra Bajpai accused the university of deceiving law students since 2022 regarding its affiliation with the BCI.
“They are jeopardizing the futures of students. When we sought clarification, students Adarsh Pandey and Abhay Ram Tripathi faced expulsion,” he stated, adding that instead of engaging in discussion, the Vice Chancellor opted to call the police.
Bajpai declared that the ABVP would organize a protest march in Hazratganj on Tuesday to oppose the police action.
Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Vikas Mishra distanced the institution from the occurrence, asserting that it was a confrontation between local residents and ABVP members.
“Our staff was not involved. Two students were previously expelled for misconduct. The protest occurred without prior notification,” he remarked, expressing sympathy for those injured.