Attempts by the right-wing student organisation have sparked discussions in educational and religious circles.
Team Clarion
BENGALURU — The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a right-wing all India student organisation affiliated to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is facing scrutiny for its purported attempts to influence Muslim students and lure them towards Hindutva ideology.
Sources reveal organised attempts by ABVP to integrate Muslim students, with reports suggesting inducement masqueraded as desh bhakti (nationalism). Significantly, Muhammad Ali, a student at the College of Agriculture in Vijayapura in Karnataka’s Bijapur district, has been appoiinted as the college students’ union president, highlighting ABVP’s strategic efforts to lure Muslim students.
Many Muslim students linked to ABVP reportedly reside in rented rooms in villages, prompting questions about the organisation’s outreach strategies. These students receive special attention from the ABVP and other saffron outfits, in perfect alignment with the organization’s core principles.
Investigations by the prominent Urdu newspaper, Salar Daily, reveal a mounting influence of ABVP among Muslim students, raising concerns about a potential ideological shift. The 73-year students’ body is purportedly attracting new members, specifically Muslim youth, through assertive campaigns and educational initiatives.
Despite assertions of inclusivity, ABVP’s intentions are under scrutiny. Critics argue that the organisation’s strong ties with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and RSS suggest a potential use of educational platforms to advance political agendas, emphasising their involvement in protests, sit-ins, and support for Hindu leaders.
Salar Daily reported a recent protest in Vijayapura, drawing over 150,000 students, with Muslim girls in the forefront. Reports suggest these girls are engaged in inter-religious marriages with Hindu boys, prompting speculation about ABVP’s underlying motives.
A pending report involving 1.23 million students in north India adds mystery to ABVP’s engagement with Muslim students. The organisation’s long-standing presence, as claimed by a former member 54 years ago, introduces complexity to its activities.
According to Salar Daily, the controversy extends to financial aspects, with concerns raised about funds flowing from Muslim institutions to ABVP. Critics argue that these funds could better be utilised within Muslim institutions, benefiting a larger segment of the community.
As the debate unfolds, questions emerge about ABVP’s true intentions in engaging with Muslim students. Is it a genuine effort for inclusivity and education, or is there a deeper political agenda at play? The ABVP attempts have sparked discussions in educational and religious circles, prompting calls for transparency and accountability from the saffronite student organisation.
