Tensions flare up after death toll rises at Satya Niketan: NSUI, ABVP clash over alleged BJP link; MCD office hit by protests

With at least five killed so far after the collapse of a boys' hostel in Delhi's Satya Niketan area, tensions have flared up at not only the site of the tragedy, but also the office of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

At least nine others have also been rescued so far, the Delhi Police said, as rescue operations by the NDRF, fire tenders, and other agencies continue to try pulling trapped students out from the debris. A case has also been registered against the alleged owner of the PG hostel, identified as Hariram, and others, under Sections 105, 290, and 125(a) of the BNS.

Amid the rescue operations in the congested area, a verbal spat also arose between National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers over an alleged BJP link to the tragedy.

NSUI president Vinod Jakhar alleged that the collapsed hostel building belonged to a BJP MLA, citing it as the reason for BJP and ABVP workers allegedly stopping the media and other locals from speaking about the tragedy and helping out the rescue teams, an ANI report said.

"We are not protesting. We are helping the children. As soon as one of our companions from NSUI got trapped inside ... we reached here within 15 minutes, but no one was here ... Why did the police administration and the fire brigade arrive two hours late?" he questioned.

Meanwhile, Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) president and ABVP leader Aryan Maan argued that many students had been rescued, and efforts were underway to rescue others trapped under the debris.

"I have spoken to the Chief Minister and the (MCD) Commissioner. We are coordinating with everyone regarding this incident, and all teams—including JCBs and fire brigade units—are present on-site," Maan said in the report.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the losses, calling the incident "distressing".

"Authorities are working at the site and assisting those affected in the mishap," he added in an X post.

Calls for resignation

Meanwhile, about 12-13km away, ABVP protests at the MCD office at Civic Centre intensified, calling for the resignation of the Commissioner, Sanjeev Khirwar, over the corporation's alleged failure to prevent such tragedies from taking place.

Visuals from the scene showed a heavy police deployment in the area trying to control about 150-200 angry protesters, with parts of the office already vandalised.

The Delhi Police then detained around 15 students, after which they were taken to the PS Kamla Market, where action under the Delhi Police Act is being initiated.

"The remaining gathering was dispersed by the police. The situation is presently under control," it added in a statement.

Mounting backlash

Both the Opposition and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have come down heavily on the Centre and the Delhi government, alleging negligence led to what was an "avoidable tragedy", as per Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

"Students' lives were already filled with struggles, now the situation has turned life-threatening," Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, declaring that students' lives are "precious".

"The government must wake up ... There is a need to take large-scale action to ensure the safety of citizens," former Delhi CM and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal urged on X about the building collapse, which the party has compared with the Saket building collapse.

CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke hit out at PM Modi over the incident as well, questioning how long must students be made to pay the price for failing infrastructure, and if the PM would return to Delhi University (DU) to explain to students the reason for the collapse.