Varanasi: Police ruled out possibility of social media posts in support of UGC regulations as the trigger for clashes between two groups of inmates at Rajaram Hostel of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). One student had lodged police complaint, alleging he was attacked for his posts on social media in support of UGC equity regulation 2026. But when police investigated, it came to light that dispute among students had occurred in the mess over a conflict on their WhatsApp group and that the dispute had no connection with UGC related protest.
On complaint of both groups, Lanka police lodged cross FIRs. Complainants in both FIRs are members of OBC.The incident took place on Tuesday night when student Adarsh Kumar went the mess for dinner. In his complaint, Adarsh alleged that four students, including Amit Kumar, Abhay Chaturvedi, Ashu Singh and Ankit Singh, along with four unknown persons, attacked him. Initially, he claimed the assailants were angered over sharing of videos and photos of a procession taken out on the campus in support of UGC equity regulation 2026 on his Facebook page, though he did not mention this allegation in his complaint, based on which FIR was lodged against four, including Amit. As the university witnessed a rally by a group of students opposing UGC regulation on Jan 29 and another rally in support of it on Tuesday, the clash at Rajaram Hostel and allegations levelled by Adarsh put officials on their toes.After initial investigation, BHU chief proctor Prof Sandeep Pokhariya said there was a minor scuffle on Tuesday evening between two students and despite both belonging to OBC, efforts were made to give the incident a caste angle and vitiate atmosphere on the campus.DCP Kashi zone Gaurav Banswal said Adarsh Kumar was injured in a clash that occurred with another student in an old dispute and Adarsh had mentioned this in his police complaint. The DCP said police reached since it was Adarsh claimed he was attacked in dispute over his posts on UGC regulation. Probe revealed dispute was over confrontation in their WhatsApp group. Lanka police station in charge Rajkumar Sharma said Amit too complained against Adarsh and his four friends and cases were lodged on complaints of both.
