Girl student assaulted for refusing to take part in ABVP protest

Girl student assaulted for refusing to take part in ABVP protest

Mangalore Today News Network

Sullia, Sep 6, 2012 : A Muslim girl was assaulted, allegedly by fellow students, for not taking part in the Akhil Bharathiya Vidhyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) protest on Tuesday. Identified as Sahira Shameela, the girl is now in a Puttur hospital.

The victim has lodged a police complaint, in which she said that she was sitting with her friends inside the classroom when a few students approached her and forced her to take part in the ABVP’s protest against the coal scam. When she refused, they began verbally abusing her, and later, when she was returning home, a group of students followed her, pulled her headscarf, and assaulted her, she alleged.

The victim has also alleged in her complaint that her assaulters threatened her of dire consequences if she dared tell her parents or the police about this incident. 
 
Based on her complaint, the police have registered complaints against five students of Dr. Shivaram Karanth Government First Grade College.

CFI/PFT protests

The Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Campus Front of India (CFI) protested against the assault near Bellare Bus Stand on Wednesday and demanded action against the accused. Iqbal Bellare, member of the CFI State Committee, warned of intense protests if the police fail to take proper action against those who assaulted the girl.

The police had beefed up security in Sullia to maintain peace and order.

ABVP denies

Meanwhile the ABVP submitted a memorandum to the police, stating that the allegations against the ABVP are false and that they did not assault the girl. According to one ABVP leader, a student called Vijay went inside the classroom to find out why they were creating a noise when the victim verbally abused him.

National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) President K. K. Hariprasad said that NSUI and the Congress will jointly organize a protest in Sullia on September 7, Friday if the police do not take stern action against the culprits.

Meanwhile, the CFI has announced a protest at Jyothi Circle today.