“Violence Erupts During CAA Debate at Gauhati University: Six Students Injured”
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A debate organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at the Gauhati University campus in Assam to discuss the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) took a violent turn on Monday, according to police reports. The altercation erupted when a group of students opposed to the debate clashed with those supporting it, leading to a physical confrontation.
Police intervened to quell the violence, which resulted in at least six students sustaining minor injuries. Although the injured individuals received initial treatment and were subsequently discharged from the hospital, the incident underscores the escalating tensions surrounding the contentious issue of the CAA.
The ABVP had organized the debate as part of their “State Students Leaders Conference” at the Birinchi Kumar Barua Auditorium of Gauhati University. They alleged that a group of students initially attempted to disrupt the proceedings and later resorted to attacking the organizers.
However, the protesting students countered these claims, asserting that ABVP members had made derogatory remarks and targeted specific sections of society during the debate. Amidst the turmoil, concerns were raised about the boundaries of student politics within an educational institution.
The university authorities have pledged to investigate the matter thoroughly and have stated that appropriate actions will be taken if necessary. The incident comes amidst ongoing discussions and debates across Assam regarding the implications and significance of the CAA, following its announcement by the central government on March 11.
The law, passed by Parliament in December 2019, aims to grant citizenship to undocumented Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India prior to December 31, 2014. However, the CAA has sparked widespread controversy and protests, particularly in states like Assam, where concerns about its impact on indigenous communities and cultural identity are prevalent.
Author:- Apoorva Arora