The students of the Central University of Tamil Nadu, who have been protesting for five days now, allege that the members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad are spreading messages and memes, tagging the protestors are anti-nationals. They also say that there have been attempts to tarnish their image by saying that the protestors did not participate in a candlelight march conducted by the National Service Scheme members in remembrance of the soldiers killed in the Pulwama attacks.
"We were informed by a faculty yesterday night that these troll messages and memes are doing the rounds in WhatsApp groups. We think that this is manufactured by the Sanghi administration which is always in support of the ABVP. The candlelight march was conducted two days after the killings, just for the sake of it," said a protestor. "We have had instances here where the administration itself has conducted ABVP meetings," she added.
The students, who are members of the NSS, said that the organisation did not conduct the march and in turn called it an 'ABVP Hijack' and were calling out ABVP slogans in the march. "By using the name of our brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this great country to spread hate and fear in the people, these fringe elements are mocking their families and the whole nation for whom they sacrificed their lives," said an NSS member who did not wish to be named. He also said that an NSS member, who took part in the candlelight march and the protest was asked by the ABVP to go to Pakistan.
At the same time, Dr S Subbiah, National President ABVP, denied the allegations. "As far as I know, this agitation isn't politically motivated. Why should ABVP threaten students? They aren't doing that," he said. He added that if the allegations are presented to him with valid proof, he will immediately suspend the students from the ABVP. He added, "At the same time, I also feel that the protesting students could have stopped their agitation for 24 hours, to mourn the death of our jawans. Their demand isn't bigger than the country."
The students have been protesting against the dismissal of two guest faculty for the past five days. They're all set to meet the Vice-Chancellor on Tuesday.
