Banaras Hindu University: Students continue protest; Rahul Gandhi asks PM Modi to apologise; 1000 FIRs lodged

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) female students supported by their male counterparts 48 hours after police latchicharge continue their stir at the varsity campus against the State and University administration on Monday.

The agitation started by handful of BHU female students seeking proper security in the 100-year-old BHU campus, now has turned into a stir against the State administration after police forces mended batons on the protesting students.

BHU protesting girls are now getting student support from universities across the country and from various political parties.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi taking dig on the BJP after the lathicharge on the students of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) tweeted, "BJP version of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in BHU."

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The Congress vice president talking to media said, “The government approach is wrong. The girls did not do anything wrong. Girls are demanding security and in return they get police lathis. This is shame.”

Gandhi further added that the BJP-led government in Centre and Uttar Pradesh have forgotten their basics of own flagship program ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padao.”

He said, “The BJP philosophy is Beti Bachao, Beti Padahao, lekin beti hakk mange toh uski pitai karo (Save Daughter, Teach Daughter, incase daughter demands right hit them.)”

The Congress president has also asked the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise from the girls for the lathicharge on them for demanding security in the BHU campus.

Also read| BHU lathicharge: UP CM seeks report, Cong leader Raj Babbar stopped from visiting varsity, arrested

Earlier in the day, PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah spoke to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the police lathicharge in BHU campus.

Senior leaders of the BJP said that Modi has asked Yogi to take appropriate action to resolve the issue.

Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “We express our pain. The incident is unfortunate. The government will find an appropriate solution to the issue.”

Adityanath has ordered an inquiry and asked the Varanasi Commissioner to submit a report on the BHU row.

The Uttar Pradesh Governor  Ram Naik intervening in the issue constituted a committee under the state chief secretary.

“The committee will see how the police behaved and examine other aspects,” said Naik.

The Varanasi Administration has removed three additional city magistrates and two police officers. While the police have lodges an FIR against unidentified police personnel and 1000 students.