New Delhi, Oct 17 (UNI) The Congress today launched a sharp attack on the BJP-supported Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), alleging that the student body was involved in incidents of sexual harassment, abuse and violence in educational campuses, including the recent one at South Asian University.
While citing a series of incidents, All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba, along with NSUI National president Varun Choudhary, demanded that ABVP be banned from all universities and high schools across the country.
Referring to an incident in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, Lamba condemned the alleged filming of female students while they were changing clothes inside a government college.
“Those who raise the slogan of ‘Beti Bachao’ are themselves involved in acts that deeply endanger the safety and dignity of daughters. This shameful act, carried out by members of ABVP, an organization supported by the BJP, exposes the true conduct, character, and face of the ruling party,” Lamba said.
Stating that this is not an isolated incident, the senior Congress leader said, “In 2023, ABVP student leader Prateek Gowda in Karnataka was arrested for making obscene videos of female students and blackmailing them. Despite such history, ABVP continues to shield the accused.”
In the Mandsaur case, she said, ABVP issued a letter defending the alleged culprits, even as CCTV footage submitted by the college principal shows ABVP-affiliated individuals recording videos without consent.
Lamba also alluded to the recent alleged rape incident at Delhi’s South Asian University, an institution hosting several international students. “Since the assault, there has been widespread fear among foreign students. Many are now reconsidering their decision to study in India. This is a matter of national shame and international concern,” she alleged.
The NSUI president called upon the Prime Minister, union Home Minister and the Delhi Chief Minister to take immediate action and send a clear message that such crimes will not be tolerated.
Speaking on recent developments at Delhi University, NSUI president Varun Choudhary condemned the physical assault on a professor at BR Ambedkar College by a female ABVP office bearer. “There is video evidence of the incident, yet no action has been taken even hours later. Has Delhi University been handed over to political goons?” he questioned.
The Congress also demanded an impartial and transparent investigation into the incidents in Mandsaur, BR. Ambedkar College (Delhi University), South Asian University (Delhi) and the case of Anandu Aji in Kerala, who died by suicide alleging sexual abuse by some RSS seniors.
The party demanded strict legal and institutional action against those found guilty and a nationwide ban on RSS-affiliated ABVP in all universities and high schools.
“The country must be governed by the Constitution, not by the regressive and patriarchal ideology of RSS-ABVP,” said Lamba.
