The principal of Fergusson College, who had asked the police to take action against those who “raised anti-national slogans” on the campus during a verbal clash between two students’ groups, retracted
The principal of Fergusson College, who had asked the police to take action against those who “raised anti-national slogans” on the campus during a verbal clash between two students’ groups, retracted his statement on Wednesday, saying that he had only meant to seek a probe to find out if such slogans were raised or not.
With the issue sparking a row, the principal was summoned by state education mininster Vinod Tawde to give an explanation on the incident.
On Tuesday, principal R.G. Pardeshi had dashed off a letter to the police alleging that “anti-national slogans” were raised during heated exchanges between the two groups. “I request you to take stern action against individuals who raised anti-national slogans on the campus,” Pardeshi said in his letter to the city police which he subsequently withdrew.
Talking to PTI, Mr Pardeshi said the letter had a “typographical error” and he was only requesting the police to investigate the matter to find out whether such anti-national slogans were raised or not. Deccan Gymkhana inspector Pravin Chougule confirmed the withdrawal, saying that a revised draft was being sent to the authorities.
Amidst the drama, an NCP MLA was allegedly manhandled on the Fergusson College campus as a clash broke out between workers of his party and ABVP supporters.
The MLA went to the college to meet Mr Pardeshi. But, unable to meet Mr Pardeshi, he began his speech during which ABVP and BJYM members allegedly heckled him.
Mr Awhad’s supporters and the rival groups soon came to blows and the NCP leader was allegedly manhandled during the melee.
The police had to intervene and escorted Mr Awhad to his car. But even after the NCP leader had got inside the vehicle, footwear and stones were hurled at his car.
A group of students owing affiliation to Ambedkarite organisations in the city had reached the college campus to counter the ABVP meeting.
“We did not raise any anti-national slogans during our protest,” Sujat Ambedkar, son of RPI leader and former MP Prakash Ambedkar, who was present during the incident, said.
Police said they were examining CCTV footage of the campus to ascertain if any untoward things had happened during the rival demonstrations.
While Pardeshi said no permission was granted to the ABVP delegation to hold the meeting, a spokesman of the outfit said college authorities had told them that since it was supposed to be an informal interaction with the Fergusson students, there was no need for a formal nod from them.
Earlier in the day, various groups stormed into the campus condemning the letter and demanded stern action against ABVP members.
