Clashes between students and police officials broke out at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on late Saturday night, after police lathi-charged on protesting.
According to media reports, several students were injured in the clashes, who were protesting against alleged molestation of a university girl and the failure of the administration to act against the attackers.
Women students were also latthi-charged by the police, who allegedly tried to enter women hostel.
The protests began on Thursday after a resident of a women’s hostel was allegedly molested by bike-borne men inside the campus.
The student lodged a complaint with the office of the proctor, which is responsible for campus security but the chief proctor refused to take action and some officials allegedly tried to blame the student, sources said.
Angry students launched a protest, demanding action against the men who attacked the girl.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav expressed his concern and condemned the use of force against the students on Twitter.
बल से नहीं बातचीत से हल निकाले सरकार।बीएचयू में छात्रों पर लाठीचार्ज निंदनीय।दोषियों पर हो करवाई।
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) September 24, 2017
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on social media criticised the action taken by the authorities.
BJP version of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in BHU https://t.co/2XWIG5CG2q
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) September 24, 2017
Politician Yogindra Yadav posted a tweet asking the government to protect girls in the university.
Barbaric lathi charge on protesting girl students of BHU by police and the proctorial gang, many girls injured.
Beti Bachao sarkar!— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 23, 2017
A heavy police force has been deployed at BHU to control the situation.