Tension prevailed at MDU Rohtak today after a protest for student union elections took a violent turn. Various student outfits, including INSO, NSUI, and SFI, had gathered to demand that the state government conduct direct elections, which have been pending for several years.
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The Conflict: While one group was protesting and raising slogans near the Vice-Chancellor’s office, another group of students reportedly opposed the protest. This led to a heated argument that quickly turned into a physical fight between the members of the rival organizations.
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Police Action: As the situation escalated and students began pushing each other, the police personnel stationed on campus intervened. When the students refused to stop and some started stone-pelting, the police used light force (lathi-charge) to clear the area.
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Injuries and Detentions: At least 4-5 students received minor injuries in the scuffle and the subsequent police action. The police detained nearly a dozen student leaders to prevent further violence on campus. They were taken to the local police station and released later in the evening.
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Student Union Demand: The protesters argued that without a student union, there is no one to take up the issues of the students with the university administration. They claimed that “indirect elections” proposed by the government are not fair and demanded “direct voting” by all students.
