Diwali celebration: Scuffle at Jamia campus, video goes viral

A brawl broke out at Jamia Millia Islamia campus on Tuesday evening during Diwali celebrations organized by the BJP's student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), officials said on Wednesday.

The riots occurred when two groups clashed during a 'Rangoli' event to mark Diwali. The police were on duty in front of the campus on Tuesday evening.

“The incident took place between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. near Gate 7. A group of students affiliated to ABVP were putting up 'diyas' and making 'rangolis' for Diwali, according to another group disliked by students. The other group destroyed the decorations, leading to a scuffle. “Both sides raised slogans,” said DCP (Southeast) Ravi Kumar.

The situation finally came under control when security personnel intervened.

“On Tuesday evening, during the Deepotsav program organized at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, students of Jamia Bharat sang Mata Ki Jai and the program passed off peacefully,” said Abhishek Shrivastava, president, ABVP, Jamia.

He alleged that some miscreants from outside arrived at the venue around 8 pm and broke the Deepotsav lamps, vandalized 'Rangoli' and started beating up students participating in the Deepotsav.

“ABVP strongly condemns the violence and radical thinking that marred the peaceful event at Jamia Millia Islamia University. The campus is there for all students, anti-national and radical slogans are not acceptable in Jamia. ABVP demands that Jamia government and Delhi Police take strict action against the radicals and sectarian fanatics who indulged in violence during Deepotsav,” he further added.

Meanwhile, the Students' Federation of India (SFI), Jamia Millia Islamia, condemned the attack and claimed it was an “act of outsiders invited by the government”.

“Under the pretext of celebrating Diwali festival, Rashtriya Kala Manch – an ABVP-affiliated organization – invited ABVP 'goons' from outside to disturb campus peace by creating a communal atmosphere in the campus premises,” it said in a statement.

It was alleged that communal slogans were raised in front of Muslim female students and misbehavior was done towards them.