Dehra Dun : The admission process in the D A V College here, considered to be the oldest and biggest college in Uttarakhand is yet to begin. But violence has already rocked the college, nay the city, with violent clashes between the NSUI and ABVP supporters, that have left a couple of seriously injured students.
One can anticipate clashes between the supporters of the two youth wings of the two major political parties in the state during electioneering for the students council elections, but that they have erupted even before the admission process is just about to begin, indicates that there is more than students politics involved.
The tardy approach the College management towards violence on the campus over the past few years has been not only a matter of concern but debate between students, parents and the district administration. But there has been no solution to it, despite everyone wanting that an academic atmosphere, rather thanj violence prevail on campus.
Apparently the College management has neither the courage nor the political or ideological will to tackle the problem head on. It is this casual approach on the part of the management that the problem not only persists but is getting more volatile with every passing year.
Parents in the past have asked the College authorities as to what prevent them from putting on hold for some time the elections to the students’ council. “One is not saying that they be scrapped, but the student leaders be told that the elections will not be held till an academic atmosphere prevails in the College”, is the popular rhetoric of parents.
However, reports doing the round is that the students clashes may not be a direct result of ego clash between the students or their intention to propagate their ideologies amongst the new entrant to the College, but may be fostered by the senior parties – the BJP and the Congress – for political gains during elections in the state.
It is being said that the free use of knives, guns and iron rods in the recent bashing up of ABVP supporters when they were coming out of jail by NSUI supporters, was apparently not only well but pre-planned. About 150 NSUI supporters lay in wait and as soon the ABVP supporters came out they became the target. The city secretary of the ABVPO was stabbed and injured seriously.
Obviously the clashes continued till late evening and the police was busy trying to bring the situation under control. ABVP supporters alleged that the Congress government in the state was using the district authorities against them and prevenmting action against NSUI supporters responsible for the attacks.
A journalist with over 40 years of experience, Jagdish Bhatt was Editor, Hill Post (Uttarakhand).
Jagdish had worked with India’s leading English dailies, which include Times of India, Indian Express, Pioneer and several other reputed publications. A highly acclaimed journalist, he was a recipient of many awards
Jagdish Bhatt, aged 72, breathed his last on 28th August 2021 at his Dehradun residence.
