BHOPAL/NEW DELHI — A Muslim student at SAM Global University in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, has alleged that he was assaulted by Bajrang Dal members during a Garba festival on campus. He also alleged that university authorities pressured Muslim students to attend the event despite their reluctance, citing fears of discrimination based on religious identity.
Sameer Alam, a 24-year-old final-year law student from Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly beaten on campus on Friday (October 16) night after attending the Garba event. Entry to the venue required a ticket priced at Rs 200.
Speaking to Clarion India, Sameer claimed that the administration had warned students of fines and attendance deductions if they skipped the programme or did not buy tickets.
According to Sameer, the situation escalated when Bajrang Dal members entered the campus and addressed the gathering from the stage. They asked those with what they described as a “jihadi mentality” to leave and raised “Jai Shri Ram” slogans. Members then began asking students for their names. Sameer claimed the assault took place after he disclosed his full name, which revealed his religious identity. He further alleged that this happened in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr N K Tiwari, raising questions about the administration’s response and its responsibility for student safety.
After the Bajrang Dal warning, Sameer and Masoom Raza, a first-year B Tech student, decided to leave the venue. Near the gate, Bajrang Dal members allegedly stopped them, demanded to know their names, hurled abuses, tore their shirts and assaulted them for nearly ten minutes. Sameer said he also lost his wallet, which contained around Rs 7,000 to 8,000 in cash.
One of his non-Muslim friends then called a faculty member from another department. She spoke to the Bajrang Dal members and helped the victims leave the area. Sameer later called his professor and informed him about the incident. The professor reportedly told him to go to his room and sleep, and said he would speak to him later. Sameer said he was very frightened.
He also alleged that police later arrived on campus and that Bajrang Dal members threatened to file a complaint against them.
Viral Video
Bajrang Dal members allegedly circulated a video of the incident in which they can be seen beating the students.
Police in Bhopal’s Bilkhiriya area have registered a case. Based on a complaint filed by Pushpraj Yadav, a member of the Bajrang Dal, an FIR has been lodged against college faculty member Neeraj Gupta, Sameer Alam and other unidentified individuals. Police have registered the case under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and are carrying out further investigation.
