Sharda University Rioters To be Booked Under National Security Act

The widespread violence at Sharda University between Indian and Afghan students could jeopardize the relations between governments of India and Afghanistan. Seeing the importance of the matter, the local administration held a meeting with Sharda University management and threatened to book “outsiders” who instigated and triggered violence on the campus under the National Security Act. 

A group of foreign and Indian students, along with a proctorial board of the university, had met the district administration, including senior officials, despite multiple videos surfaced on social media about the violence.

While the police have booked over 350 students for rioting and related offences from both the sides as it launched a probe on its own Thursday night, District Magistrate Brajesh Narain Singh ordered a new complaint to be lodged by police against anti-social elements who had entered the campus.

District Magistrate advocated strong action against those circulating “inflammatory videos”  and “fake news” and said the head of a fringe group, who has “attempted to jeopardise India’s relations with Afghanistan”, would be detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).

“Multiple videos emerged which showed face-offs between student groups. Following which we have called for a meeting. It has come to light that local anti-social elements are trying to disrupt peace in the campus as it is escalating Sharda University students’ minor scuffle as a communal issue,” said Singh.

Who are the Outsiders?

“FIRs have been filed against Ved Nagar of Gau Raksha Samiti and Deepak Sharma of Rashtriya Swabhiman Dal who had entered the campus and instigated the students’ sentiments. I have asked the university management to identify students who indulge in similar actions/talks and take action against them.

“Through his videos, Deepak Sharma has tried to jeopardise India’s relations with Afghanistan, create a divide between communities and intimidate Kashmiri students, knowing well the sensitive situation in Kashmir. Therefore, it appears reasonable enough to detain him under the NSA once arrested because his actions have caused a public disorder,” Singh told PTI. He added that after his meeting with the university students and officials, the Afghans and other students were assured of a peaceful atmosphere here.

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