MP: RDVV students, staff clash during protest; complaints lodged

Jabalpur, Aug 13 (IANS) A clash broke out between student leaders and employees of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya (RDVV) in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur on Thursday after a protest over student grievances and a staff agitation escalated into violence, police said.

According to information, violence occurred after Madhya Pradesh’s NSUI (Congress’ student wing) union president Abhishek Pandey and other student leaders met Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Rajesh Verma to raise student‑related issues, including the alleged delay in issuing a student’s degree and a pending examination of a BSW second‑year student.

After the meeting, the student leaders came out and interacted with university employees who were staging a sit‑in over a 36‑point charter of demands. Pandey said the employees sought his support for their protest, following which he appealed through a microphone for their demands to be considered and said the agitation was affecting students’ studies.

The situation turned tense when the student leaders raised allegations concerning Verma’s appointment and demanded his resignation. An argument between the two groups soon escalated into a physical altercation.

A video purportedly showing the incident surfaced on social media. It showed a university employee kicking a student, while other visuals showed members of the two groups involved in a scuffle.

The student leaders alleged that they were abused and assaulted by university employees in the presence of the Vice‑Chancellor. Some employees participating in the sit‑in reportedly tried to intervene and stop the clash.

“We had gone to raise students’ problems, but the situation turned violent after we questioned the Vice‑Chancellor’s appointment. We were assaulted in front of the Vice‑Chancellor,” Pandey alleged.

Later, both sides submitted written complaints at Civil Line police station and demanded action on the matter.

“We have received complaints from both sides and are examining the video footage and other evidence. Action will be taken against those found responsible,” a police official said.

IANS also tried to speak to the university’s administration; however, no response was received by the time the story was written.

–IANS

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