Sikh Student Assaulted in Khalsa College, Delhi

Clashes erupted at Delhi University’s Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College between two student groups, leading to the assault of a Sikh student. The conflict occurred outside the college principal’s office where students gathered in protest over the institution’s decision to not participate in the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections on 27 Sep. This decision was upon instructions from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). In the clash, Pavit Singh Gujral was dragged, kicked, and had his turban forcibly removed. The police have registered the case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (new penal code, BNS), including intentional actions to offend religious sentiments and threats of criminal intimidation. The college principal had previously written to the Delhi University administration, stating the college would conduct its own student elections under the guidance of the Staff Advisory Committee, as directed by the DSGMC. This decision, opposed by both the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and INC’s National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), led to protests and tensions, with ABVP filing a petition challenging the dissociation of DSGMC colleges from DUSU. Despite the ongoing investigation, the college has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident. In another incident on 15 Sep in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, a Sikh Army officer and his fiancée were involved in a street brawl with college students. Later when they went to file a First Information Report, the police locked up the officer for a few hours and assaulted his fiancée. Though the incident is not a hate crime against a particular religion, it has evoked criticism against the police force by Army officials. Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and INC leader Rahul Gandhi have called for a judicial inquiry.