Right-wing activists attack FTII students over banner decrying Babri Masjid demolition, FIR registered

Demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992. Photo: PTI

Members of a local right-wing organisation attacked the students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune on Tuesday over a banner condemning the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition put up by the students. A case has been registered against unidentified persons at Deccan Police station.

The banner with the words "Remember Babri, Death of Constitution" was put up by the FTII Students Association (FSA) on the campus. The incident took place a day after the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.

"Some 12 to 15 unidentified persons allegedly barged into the campus by overpowering security personnel around noon on Tuesday. The students were assaulted and the activists also tore and burnt the banner", news agency PTI reported quoting the police.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against unidentified persons at Deccan police station under Indian Penal Code sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 427 (mischief causing damage) and other relevant provisions, Vipin Hasabnis, senior police inspector at Deccan police station, told PTI.

The FTII Students Association (FSA) in a press statement said they strongly stand against this attack on "democratic rights as well as the lives of students." The FSA added that a mob of 20 to 25 people started shouting "Jai Shree Ram", hurled abuse at students and attacked four students including association president Mankap Nokwoham and general secretary Sayantan who suffered injuries.

The FSA said that the injured were immediately taken to the hospital and are stable.

Late at night, a First Information Report was registered against three students under Indian Penal Code sections 153B (1) (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), a senior official told PTI.

In Pics: Massive, unmanageable crowd throngs Ayodhya Ram temple

Meanwhile, "illegal" roadside stalls in Naya Nagar area of Thane district which witnessed a communal clash two days back were razed by the civic body using bulldozers on Tuesday, officials said, reported PTI.

Notably, the action by the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation to demolish the "illegal" roadside stalls came a day after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, warned of strict action against rioters.

Members of two communities clashed during a vehicle rally organised in Naya Nagar on the outskirts of Mumbai on Sunday night ahead of Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration which took place on Monday, reported PTI.

So far 13 people have been arrested and the investigation is underway.

(With inputs from PTI)