Jaipur, April 3 (IANS) Tension flared at Rajasthan University on Friday as NSUI workers clashed with police during protests against a seminar scheduled to be held on the campus, which they alleged was linked to the promotion of RSS ideology.

The situation escalated when protesters attempted to breach barricades set up at the main gate. A confrontation broke out after NSUI workers staged a protest against a seminar scheduled at the Humanities Auditorium under the banner of Marudhara Nari Sangathan.

The protest quickly escalated into clashes with police as students tried to force their way past barricades. Police had sealed the university’s main gate and deployed heavy security, including riot control vehicles, to prevent any disruption.

Despite this, NSUI workers climbed barricades and raised slogans, leading to scuffles with security personnel. The NSUI has opposed the event, alleging that it is linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and aimed at promoting a specific ideology on campus.

The organisation has demanded immediate cancellation of the seminar, warning of intensified protests and a boycott if the event proceeds. NSUI leader Amardeep Parihar said universities should remain neutral spaces for education and alleged that such events disturb the academic environment.

Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has backed the seminar, asserting that it focuses on women’s dignity and empowerment.

ABVP representatives dismissed the allegations and termed the protest politically motivated, arguing that hosting events of varied ideologies is part of democratic practice.

University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Alpana Kateja clarified that the auditorium had been rented to a women’s organisation and that the university has no official confirmation linking the event to the RSS.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully said, “There are ongoing efforts to impose Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology on higher education institutions and to bring them under its influence. This time, they are organising the event at the University of Rajasthan to further their ideological agenda, just as they previously disrupted the university’s academic environment by performing Shastra Pooja on campus.

“Instead of focusing on making Rajasthan University one of the country’s top research institutions and securing new patents, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is busy damaging the education sector and appeasing the RSS,” he said.

With both student groups at loggerheads, the campus remains under tight security at the time of filing this report.

–IANS

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