What Happened at Narsee Monjee College in Indore During Valentine's Day Event?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Indore, Feb 12 (NationPress) Activists from a right-wing organization reportedly caused chaos at Narsee Monjee College in Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Thursday, protesting against a Valentine's Day-themed event on campus, according to police reports.
Officials indicated that the activists stormed the grounds, causing property damage and allegedly assaulting faculty and security personnel, leading to widespread panic among students.
The officer in charge at Gandhi Nagar police station, Anil Yadav, commented that the college regularly hosts cultural events, including Navratri and various festivals, which have previously faced opposition from right-wing factions.
“Today, a Valentine's Day week event was underway, which faced backlash from members of Bajrang Dal. Upon notification, a police unit arrived promptly and managed to stabilize the situation,” he stated.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Krishna Lalchandani confirmed that police intervention occurred within ten minutes of the alert.
“Members of certain Hindu organizations disrupted activities on campus. We have launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage and incident videos to enact appropriate legal measures,” he added.
He noted that the college had not notified the police in advance about the event, and an explanation is required from the college administration.
Footage from the scene depicted around 50 youths, some wielding sticks, entering the campus and vandalizing property.
Several youths were seen engaging in disputes with faculty and police personnel.
Following police intervention, some activists reportedly sat at the college entrance, reciting the Hanuman Chalisa.
Reports indicated that the Valentine's Day event was organized by the college's cultural committee.
As decorations were being set up by students, activists allegedly pushed past security guards and entered the venue, causing damage to the stage, speakers, and stalls.
A student, wishing to remain anonymous, shared that the commotion frightened many, prompting them to seek safety.
Tannu Sharma, identifying as a member of the right-wing group, expressed their opposition to the celebration based on cultural grounds.
“Valentine's Day contradicts Hindu culture. We requested the organizers to halt the event, but they refused, leading us to protest,” he informed reporters.
Authorities confirmed that the situation is now managed and further actions will depend on the investigation's findings.
Narsee Monjee College in Indore is affiliated with a private deemed university based in Hyderabad, established in 2017, offering programs in various fields such as commerce, management, technology, and law.