Academics Urge Karnataka Home Minister to Act Against ABVP Attacks on Academic Spaces
Delegation submits memorandum citing four incidents of alleged intimidation and event cancellations; Priyank Kharge assures appropriate action
BENGALURU: A group of senior academics and civil society members has urged Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge to take firm action against alleged attacks, vandalism and threats by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in academic and cultural spaces. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Minister on November 2, seeking measures to protect democratic debate, academic freedom and students’ right to dissent.
The signatories expressed concern over what they described as a growing pattern of vigilantism and intimidation in Karnataka. They said such incidents were restricting open discussions in educational institutions and undermining students’ freedom to question, debate and develop independent views.
Four incidents cited in the memorandum
The memorandum highlighted four incidents during 2026. In February, Azim Premji University was allegedly vandalised by ABVP members over a student-organised discussion on the 1991 Kunan-Poshpora violence. In April, a discussion on the book Umar Khalid and His World at the Bengaluru International Centre reportedly faced opposition from the BJP and affiliated organisations.
In September, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) was forced to cancel a screening of a documentary on Umar Khalid, made by filmmaker Lalit Vachani. In another incident that month, Mount Carmel University cancelled a programme titled Gender Politics and the Media in the Fight for Equality following an alleged ABVP threat over the invitation of a speaker associated with Spark magazine.
The delegation also expressed disappointment over Azim Premji University’s subsequent action against the student organisation SPARK and the suspension of students involved in organising the discussion.
‘Academic spaces must remain free from fear’
The memorandum invoked poet Kuvempu’s description of Karnataka as a “garden of peace and harmony for all communities” and said the state was witnessing an increase in vigilantism and violence.
One of the signatories stated, “I have been deeply saddened and shocked that even in Karnataka, which Kuvempu called a ‘garden of peace and harmony for all communities’, has been affected by the vigilantism and violence by the ABVP.”
The representation further alleged that groups associated with ABVP were acting with impunity and threatening the rule of law and social peace. It drew a comparison with pre-World War II fascist movements in Europe, while criticising the ideological influence of the RSS.
Probe demanded; Minister assures action
Congratulating Kharge on lifting the 37-year ban on student unions, the delegation urged him to use his authority to uphold democratic freedoms, remove fear from academic spaces and order a probe into repeated incidents of alleged vandalism by ABVP across Karnataka.
The Minister, taking cognisance of the concerns, assured the delegation that he would look into the matter and take appropriate steps.
The delegation comprised Prof. Mohan Rao, Dr. Mary John, P. Rohini Rajasekaran, Sachin, Madhu Bhushan, Amal and Danny.
