Clash at University of Hyderabad over play leaves several students injured

A clash broke out between student groups at the University of Hyderabad during a theatre performance titled ‘Holi’, with SFI alleging ABVP disruption and violence while ABVP claimed its members were attacked during a protest over alleged hurt sentiments, leaving several injured

Hyderabad: A scuffle broke out between student groups over a theatre performance on the University of Hyderabad campus here on Monday night has left several students injured.

According to a statement released by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) HCU unit, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) HCU members allegedly disrupted a play titled ‘Holi’ staged on the campus as part of the academic evaluation of Theatre Arts department students. The SFI claimed that ABVP activists attempted to halt the performance, which led to violent confrontation.

The SFI HCU alleged that ABVP activists threw beer bottles, pelted stones and wooden sticks, breaking the window glasses of the hall and injuring many SFI cadres and students in the tussle. “Two of SFI HCU unit committee members who sustained severe injuries had stitches and had to undergo multiple scans,” it claimed.

However, the ABVP-HCU claimed that a few students who attended the theatre performance raised concerns, stating that it hurt Hindus sentiments and values. In response, the SFI members resorted to violence against these students, it claimed. When the ABVP activists staged a peaceful protest, they were beaten up and had to be hospitalised, the ABVP said.