New Delhi: Leaders of the student wings of BJP, Congress and AAP clashed against each other on the last day of campaigning for the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) polls and blamed their rivals for attacking them.
The Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) alleged that two of their candidates were attacked by members of AAP's students wing CYSS during campaigning at the PGDAV college in south Delhi while BJP's Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) claimed that NSUI had targeted its volunteers and presidential nominee at two DU colleges.
NSUI, in a statement, claimed that its Presidential candidate Pradeep Vijayran and Vice Presidential candidate Prerna Singh were attacked by members of ABVP and CYSS.
"Our volunteers were campaigning along with candidates Pradeep Vijayran and Prerna Singh at PGDAV College when Pradeep was attacked by CYSS workers. He suffered head injuries and had to be rushed to AIIMS, where he recieved stitches," alleged Amrish Ranjan Panday, an Indian Youth Congress (IYC) leader.
Both Vijayran and Singh were taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre wherein they underwent treatment.
NSUI Presidential candidate Pradeep Vijayran and Vice Presidential candidate Prerna Singh injured in clashes
After his treatment, Vijayran said, “We strongly condemn such acts of violence being perpetuated in the name of student politics. I request our rivals for a violence-free election. The campus is not safe for students anymore. Today it was us, tomorrow it could be anyone. I strongly feel that our campuses need to be free from violence. Outsiders should be banned from entering colleges.”
NSUI and ABVP traded similar charged against each other.
"Our volunteers were attacked by NSUI at Shradhanand College and Motilal Nehru College. They also attacked the car with stones in which our presidential candidate Satender Awana was travelling," claimed ABVP national secretary Rohit Chahal.
While all the three rival camps lodged police complaints over the alleged violence, no FIR has been registered yet.
"The complaints have been received. But we are making further inquiries and will be taking action accordingly," senior police officials said.
Meanwhile, the first 'presidential debate' for DUSU polls that was scheduled for today, was called off due to security concerns following the alleged clashes between the various students' outfits.
(With agency inputs)
