NEW DELHI: A woman YouTuber alleged on Saturday that she was assaulted and that an attempt was made to forcibly take her away during a protest at Delhi University’s North Campus a day earlier. However, a student group denied the allegations, claiming that its members were targeted instead.
The YouTuber stated that she had gone to cover a protest demanding the implementation of new UGC regulations and was attacked after being asked her name.
"I had gone to cover the protest, as I regularly do. Before I could even take out my mic, a person behind me tried to instigate me by repeatedly taking my name. When I asked him what the issue was, he asked for my name and caste. I told him my name and asked what had happened. After that, things escalated," the YouTuber said.
"The entire crowd came towards me and attacked me. This is clear in the video. About 500 people attacked me. They just have fake narrations and fake allegations. The girls around me whispered rape threats in my ears just because I am a Brahmin; "aaj tu chal, tera nanga parade niklega," is what they said. The men around me were saying that they would teach me a lesson. The girls had held me by the arms and neck. This is an attempt to murder. I had fallen unconscious, but the Police did nothing, " she told ANI.
YouTuber alleged that the reason the mob targeted her for her caste and that she was now registered an FIR in the case.
"A boy there was signalling to others to take me away. Did they want to kidnap me? My clothes were being torn. I was being improperly touched. They were goons, they cannot be students. I was attacked due to my caste. Nobody supported me, only a few Law Faculties showed humanity, and I came out with their help as well as with that of a few women Police personnel. FIR has been registered, I trust the law .The incident occurred for about half an hour. There was mob lynching there, I escaped somehow is a big deal for me." she claimed.
"There was also a car with its gate open, and gestures were being made suggesting I be taken inside. I have filed a complaint with the police," she added.
Meanwhile, Delhi University vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh described the incident as a matter of concern and said maintaining social harmony was everyone’s responsibility.
The All India Students' Association (AISA) said in a statement that the protest over the UGC regulations was peaceful and that its activists intervened after the YouTuber allegedly created a disruption and confronted a journalist at the site.
It termed the allegations "false and motivated" and said two of its members were later threatened and faced abuse at the police station when they went to file a complaint.
The student outfit also claimed that videos circulating online do not show the full sequence of events. Multiple videos of the incident have been shared on social media with each side claiming that the onus lies with the other side.
Delhi Police said two FIRs have been registered based on complaints filed by the YouTuber and a woman student affiliated with AISA.
The Delhi University VC posted on X, requesting all teachers and students to maintain harmony among themselves. "Do not engage in any activity that increases mutual discord and harms the image of the nation and the university," he said.
Singh said students from all states of India and all communities study in the university. "Social harmony is the greatest thing, and maintaining it is the duty of all of us," he wrote on X.
"I have spoken with several student groups and teacher groups today and have also spoken with the police administration to ensure that no such incident occurs in the future that harms harmony. The new rules of the UGC that have come are currently under consideration in the Hon'ble Supreme Court.
"I appeal to all teachers and students of the university to maintain their trust in the Government of India and await the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court," the VC said.
Claims And Counter-Claims After Protest EscalatesChaos marked a protest called by Left-backed student unions at Delhi University on Friday evening. The unrest followed a separate protest organised by the All India Forum for Equity to observe ‘All India Vanchit Adhikar Divas’ at the Arts Faculty, which allegedly witnessed scenes of violence. The students were demanding that the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations address and eliminate caste discrimination on campuses across India.
A face-off between two student groups triggered claims and counter-claims, with each side accusing the other of violence and intimidation. According to the Left-backed student union AISA, some students were allegedly threatened and subjected to casteist abuse and slurs by a rival group.
AISA activists further claimed that when they went to a local police station to register an FIR against the alleged attackers, members of the rival group ABVP — affiliated with the BJP — attacked them.
In its statement the AISA said, "Delhi Police repeatedly failed to disperse the attacking mob and even if they moved away this mob kept coming back. While the lawyer of the students inside was not allowed to enter the police station, the people against whom the complaint was being made entered and with them some goons even entered the station."
"The mob at this time became even more agitated and tried to surround those who had come in solidarity against the mob attack in order to attack them. Instead of removing the violent crowd, the police stood by and watched as the mob raised slogans like "Desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maro salon ko" (Shoot the traitors of the country), "Brahmanwad Zindabad" (Long live Brahmanism) and other violent gestures aimed particularly women comrades," AISA alleged in its statement.
Countering these allegations, ABVP alleged that a female journalist, associated with a YouTube channel was allegedly assaulted by Left backed student activists. ABVP said that the incident exposes the violent character of Left-affiliated student organisations, which otherwise claim to champion freedom of expression across universities in the country.
Police Register Two FIRs, Invoke Assault ChargesMeanwhile, a senior police officer said that FIRs have been filed in the case, and they have begun an inquiry.
"Two FIRs have been registered, including one where the complainant is a female YouTuber and another, a female student from AISA. Both the FIRs have been registered under Sections 74 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 126(2) (wrongful restraint) and 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS. Further action will be taken accordingly," the officer said.
(With agency inputs)