December 15, 2024 08:24 (IST)
Jadavpur University erupts over screening of Buddha In A Traffic Jam
Kolkata, May 6 (IBNS): The campus of Jadavpur University erupted again over the screening of a film as the students of the ultra-left union clashed with the BJP's student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and held four of those belonging to saffron brigade hostage accusing them of molestation.
However, the four were found injured at the hands of the students and three of them were admitted in a hospital.
After a large group of BJP-ABVP supporters reached the spot led by state leader Roopa Ganguly and threatened to storm inside the campus, the police took charge of the four held captive from the vice-chancellor who had rushed to the varsity premises hearing the trouble.
The leftist students said the screening of the film Buddha In A Traffic Jam was held despite the university later refusing permission for the same.
According to reports, several ABVP workers were injured in the incident which also led to a standoff at the gate of the university between BJP-ABVP supporters and the left union students inside the campus.
Situations became violent in the university campus and director Vivek Agnihotri faced protests where the screening of his film was scheduled.
ABVP workers, who are alleged to be outsiders, attempted to screen the movie inside the campus despite not having permission, the left students alleged.
JU's student union members clashed with the ABVP workers later and also screened another movie to counter them.
JU students allegedly caught hold of four outsiders and held them hostage.
The students alleged the outsiders molested the two girls which they denied strongly.
The outsiders were later handed over to police with the intervention of the vice-chancellor who were then taken outside the campus.
They were later released after BJP leader Roopa Ganguly led a big group of saffron activists to the scene and held a demonstration. ABVP said the left students talk of democracy and free speech but assault anyone countering them with ideology.
The BJP-AVBP supporters raised slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" while the students belonging to the left union squatted before the local police station demanding arrest of the four and threatening with a big agitation in the university.
Jadavpur University (JU)'s Vice-Chancellor Suranjan Das told IBNS: "We are looking into the matter."
The filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri tweeted: "They didn't like that film exposed them so they got violent with the organising students. Some in hospital. #JU"
He earlier tweeted: "Massive protest against me and the film. They are breaking the car apart. Help needed."
Buddha in a Traffic Jam is an autobiographical film based on its writer & director Vivek Agnihotri's life. The film has a cast of Arunoday Singh, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mahi Gill and Anchal Dwivedi.
Image: Twitter handle of Vivek Agnihotri
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