The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University student union elections, scheduled to be held on September 13, were on September 11 postponed after two rival groups clashed during campaigning in the campus.
The campus has been closed for two days, officials said.
Former Uttar Pradesh CM, Akhilesh Yadav tweeted today that a nervous BJP was fanning unrest at the university to stall elections as they fear losing out.
लगता है गोरखपुर लोकसभा उप-चुनाव में हारने के बाद अब कुछ लोगों को गोरखपुर विश्वविद्यालय छात्र संघ चुनाव में भी हार का डर सता रहा है, इसीलिए वो चुनाव टाल रहे हैं. ये चुनाव से पहले ही हार मान लेने का सबूत है. छात्रों से उनका अधिकार छीनना अलोकतांत्रिक है.
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) September 12, 2018
The tweet loosely translated reads: Seems like after losing Lok Sabha elections in UP, people are scared of losing elections at Gorakhpur university too. And so, are trying to stall the elections by means of violence. This is proof that they are nervous about losing the elections. Not letting students exercise their right to vote is undemocratic.
The former CM hinted heavily at BJP who lost almost all constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections in May this year
The incident took place around noon when some supporters of student union president candidate Ranjeet Singh Srinet reached the Law department of the state-run university and tried to paste posters on the walls.
His supporters, however, were stopped by some teachers following which the former agitated and misbehaved with the faculty.
Soon, another candidate Anil Dubey reached the spot along with his supporters. A clash ensued between both the groups.
Ravi Rai, SHO, Cant police station said the students broke the glass of vehicles and that mild force was used to disperse the clashing students.
The faculty along with university teacher association president Vinod Singh met Vice Chancellor V K Singh and told him that in such an atmosphere, they would not support the university election.
"The teachers are very angry and no one is ready to work for the election in such a condition where teachers are getting threat on phone and facing misbehavior by supporters of candidates. Political parties are backing the candidates and the atmosphere has become very tense," Prof Vinod Singh said.
Commenting on the incident, election officer Prof O P Pandey said, "During the meeting with the advisory committee at VC's residence, the decision was taken to postpone the varsity student union election which was scheduled for September 13. The university will remain closed on September 12 and 13".
