Rajasthan's Student Protest: NSUI Demands Trigger Police Action

NSUI activists demanding student union elections in Rajasthan faced police lathicharge, resulting in the detention of 18 individuals. The protest outside Rajasthan University escalated, leading to scuffles and minor injuries. The NSUI and political leaders condemned the police action and vowed to continue their demands.

NSUI activists were subjected to a lathicharge and 18 individuals were detained by the police on Thursday while protesting for student union elections in Rajasthan, according to police reports.

The clash resulted in minor injuries for two students as they attempted to march towards the state assembly, police added.

The National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the Congress party's student wing, condemned the police's actions, asserting their protests would persist as student elections are a democratic right.

Police stated the students began their demonstration at Rajasthan University and attempted to march to the state assembly but were stopped due to the ongoing assembly session.

''Students aiming to march to the assembly were protesting outside the university when the police intervened, leading to scuffles,'' said Gandhinagar SHO Udaibhan.

Two students sustained minor injuries during the altercation. The police dispersed the gathered students, detaining 18 and transporting others to a different location, the SHO reported.

Criticizing the police response, NSUI national spokesperson Ramesh Bhati said, ''The scuffle with peaceful protesters highlights government cowardice. Our unit president has a broken hand, and many others have serious injuries.'' The NSUI will continue to push for student union elections, Bhati added.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also condemned the police force on protesting students as ''highly condemnable.''

''The state government must clarify its reluctance to hold student elections. Suppressing legitimate student demands with police fear is unfortunate,'' Gehlot stated on X.

''Numerous NSUI student leaders sustained serious injuries. I wish them a swift recovery,'' he added.

(With inputs from agencies.)