Days after installation, NSUI vandalises Savarkar bust

Tribune News Service/ians

New Delhi, August 22

Student politics in Delhi University once again geared up just before the student union election. The debate started in North Campus on Tuesday night over Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s bust. 

On Wednesday night National Student Union of India (NSUI) president Akshya Lakra garlanded Savarkar statue with shoe chain and blackened it. 

NSUI leaders also raised slogans Bhagat Singh and Bose amar rahe (long live). The video of which had gone viral on social media.

The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) led Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) President Shakti Singh, on Tuesday, installed busts of Veer Savarkar, Subash Chander Bose and Bhagat Singh outside the Arts faculty gate without any permission.

“How could they have put the busts of Savarkar alongside Bose and Bhagat Singh, that too overnight? We had to take matter in our hands. The university administration has been silent about the issue. The varsity is working at the behest of ABVP, the child unit of RSS. The ABVP called it a heinous act,” said NSUI Delhi wing president Akshay Lakra. 

NSUI National secretary Saiman Farukhi said, I just want people to know that Veer Savarkar was the person who was against Quit India movement and was against raising Indian flag. It’s not fair to compare Veer Savarkar with freedom fighters like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh.

The National Students Union of India and the Left-backed All India Students Association had criticised the move, saying Savarkar cannot be kept on the same pedestal as that of Bose and Singh.

On Wednesday, the ABVP had said it has instructed its office-bearers in the DUSU to shift the busts to the office till the time the university administration grants permission. 

Delhi Police has not registered any FIR in the matter and is investigating the issue from all ends, said a senior police officer.'

Furore over ABVP’s move

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) led Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) president Shakti Singh, on Tuesday, installed busts of Veer Savarkar, Subash Chander Bose and Bhagat Singh outside the Arts faculty gate without any permission.