Jaipur: Functionaries of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), protesting a women empowerment programme allegedly associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, clashed with police Friday. Police officials said around 30 university students were detained during the protest.As NSUI functionaries geared up for the protest from 1pm onwards, heavy police deployment was made on the university campus, with the main gates barricaded.Protesters attempted to breach the barricades and move towards the Humanities auditorium, where the programme was scheduled. Police detained several functionaries during the scuffle and took them away.Protest was against an event titled ‘Prabudh Jan Goshti (Matrushakti)’, held at the Humanities auditorium and organised by Marudhar Nari Sashaktikaran Sangathan. The programme was addressed by RSS outreach wing head Ram Lal.NSUI leader Amardeep Parihar said, “The university is a centre of knowledge and the atmosphere here is being compromised by hosting such events. The focus should be on academics, with discussions around employment opportunities and admissions.”Reacting to the protest, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot wrote on X, “The NSUI’s peaceful protest against imposition of RSS ideology at Rajasthan University — and against the undermining of the autonomy of educational institutions — stands as a symbol of the defence of democratic values. Arresting students to suppress such protests exposes the BJP govt’s desperation and authoritarian mindset.”State Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said, “The lathi-charge against NSUI functionaries at RU and their unlawful detention is a blatant abuse of power. The protesters were democratically raising their voice against RSS’ political agenda. Are peaceful protests a crime in this country? The BJP govt wants to transform even these temples of learning into an arena for its authoritarianism and politics of hate.“Responding to the protest, Bharat Bhushan, national coordinator (university wing) of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, said, “Organising events associated with any ideology within the university is a democratic right. This particular event is centred on crucial themes such as women’s dignity and empowerment, making any opposition to it unjustified.”Meanwhile, the university administration said the hall was only rented out to the organising body and that it had no role in the event.
