‘Anti-national views’: Talk on Kashmir incident sparks protest at Azim Premji University in Bengaluru; 25 ABVP activists detained
Times of India
by SRUTHY SUSAN ULLASFebruary 25, 2026
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Tensions escalated at Azim Premji University (APU) in Bengaluru as Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student organization linked with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), disrupted a scheduled discussion on the Kunan Poshpora incident, an alleged mass gang rape by security forces in Kashmir. The event, titled "Kunan Poshpora — 35 years after," aimed to discuss violence by the Indian State in Kashmir and was organized by Spark APU, affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation's student wing, All India Students Association (AISA). ABVP claimed the discussion promoted anti-national views and sought to tarnish the image of Indian soldiers. Around 25 ABVP activists were detained for preventive custody as police deployed additional forces to maintain order.
The controversy began when posters for the event surfaced, referencing allegations of 35 women being gang-raped in Kunan and Poshpora villages in Kupwara district, with no convictions following the incident. ABVP accused AISA and Spark APU of organizing events to promote anti-national ideologies, including support for Naxal and Maoist movements. The organization further demanded that APU's recognition be revoked, while APU itself clarified it had not authorized the event and strongly condemned the violence and disruption caused by ABVP activists.
The incident highlights a broader clash of ideologies in India's academic spaces, where student groups often face off over issues related to nationalism, Kashmir, and state violence. While ABVP framed its actions as a defense against anti-national propaganda, critics argue that such disruptions stifle free expression and academic discourse. The protest underscores the tense relationship between student organizations with differing political affiliations and raises questions about how universities should handle controversial events while balancing free speech with campus safety.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/25/2026