Student's plea highlights tensions after COEP clash

A student at Pune's COEP Technological University has publicly appealed to be left out of political disputes, speaking out in a video that circulated on Saturday, a day after a clash between the ABVP and NSUI on the campus.

In the video, the student thanked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his offer to meet her but declined, saying she was not in a state of mind to meet or talk. She said she should not be used for political purposes.

"I am a simple student not related to politics. I am also not related to any agitation. The ongoing issue damaged the atmosphere in COEP. Please free our campus from political activism and please do not involve me in any political drama," she said.

Clash and police complaints

The incident occurred on Friday night, a day before Gandhi's 'Chhatron ki Goonj' event, which was held on the campus on Saturday. Both the ABVP and NSUI have filed police complaints against each other.

A 19-year-old student, Malhar Patil, who is associated with the ABVP, lodged an FIR at the Shivajinagar police station on Saturday morning. Patil alleged that a girl student of COEP was pressured into giving a video statement to a news channel. When he and his ABVP colleagues went to the hostel to discuss the matter, they were allegedly attacked by 50-60 NSUI and Congress workers.

The police have booked at least 60 NSUI members in connection with the clash, according to the Times of India. The FIR, filed based on Patil's complaint, includes charges of rioting and assault under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act.

The NSUI and Congress have refuted the allegations and blamed the ABVP for the altercation. Police Inspector Amar Kalange confirmed that both parties have filed complaints against each other, and cross-complaints are being processed.

Political fallout

The clash has taken on political overtones, with the BJP and Congress trading accusations. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the clash a "precursor" to Gandhi's visit, which he dismissed as "event management". He alleged that the Congress was trying to create a controversy to "relaunch" Gandhi.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole countered that the BJP was acting out of fear because Gandhi's visit had garnered significant support from the youth. Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said the BJP should "introspect", alleging that the ruling party was unable to accept Gandhi's growing popularity.

In a separate development, a BJP leader, Navnath Ban, demanded an inquiry into the event's funding, claiming that large sums had been spent to bring in a crowd. Congress state unit head Harshvardhan Sapkal dismissed the claims as "totally false", asserting that students had arrived on their own from across the state.

Security measures and restrictions

Following the incident, Pune police have beefed up security at the campus and prohibited political leaders, activists, and office-bearers from entering the COEP campus and hostel for four days starting Saturday. An official order was issued under Section 163 of the Bombay Police Act, and violators will face action under Section 223 of the BNS.

The student's plea has brought attention to the tense atmosphere at the campus, with many hoping that the situation will be resolved peacefully.