A violent altercation broke out between student groups at South Asian University (SAU) in Delhi on Wednesday, centered around the provision of non-vegetarian food in the university mess during Maha Shivratri. Tensions escalated as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) exchanged accusations of inciting violence.
The SAU administration has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police confirmed that no formal complaint has been filed, although they are aware of the situation and are monitoring developments. An officer reported that police received a call regarding the disturbance at approximately 3:45 PM, where they encountered a heated argument in the mess area.
A video depicting a female student being attacked during the altercation has gained traction on social media. Authorities stated that the incident began as a dispute over food, leading to physical confrontations. The victim is currently undergoing a medical examination as investigation continues.
SFI has publicly condemned ABVP for what they describe as a violent assault on students who allegedly refused to comply with demands to cease the serving of non-vegetarian food on this religious occasion. In their statement, SFI accused ABVP members of physically assaulting students, including dragging women by their hair and interfering with the mess staff for serving non-vegetarian food.
In response, ABVP has countered SFI’s claims, arguing that its members acted to protect students observing a fast during Maha Shivratri. They stated that many students had requested vegetarian options from the mess administration on the auspicious day, and when these satvik meals were being served, SFI attempted to disrupt the arrangement by pushing for the inclusion of non-vegetarian dishes.
Videos purporting to show the clash are circulating online, further amplifying the incident’s visibility. The situation at SAU remains under scrutiny as both sides prepare for ongoing discussions about the events.
