ISLAMABAD: Three days after members of the BJP Yuva Morcha (youth wing) vandalised a Bangladeshi food stall at an international food festival held at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), the Kothrud Police Station has still not registered an FIR against the accused.
The institute had submitted a police complaint on February 11, but opposition leaders and activists say the Pune police are dragging their feet, especially as the accused has posted videos of the vandalism online.
Speaking to The Indian Express, DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police) Sambhaji Kadam said, “Submitting a written application is different… the college should provide additional details.”
Lawyer-activist Asim Sarode argued that since the incident is clearly visible on video, police should take suo motu cognizance. When asked why an FIR was not being registered despite the footage, Kadam said police are “investigating” and would act afterward.
Akshay Jain of the Maharashtra Youth Congress alleged selective enforcement, saying small protests by his side quickly attract cases, while "trespass and vandalism caught on video have seen no immediate FIR."
Anish Gawande of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) said Bangladeshi students have studied in Pune for decades and urged intervention against hate crimes by the Maharashtra CM, who also holds the home portfolio.
Meanwhile, Siddhant Jambhulkar of NSUI (National Students Union of India) called the incident “condemnable” and warned it could shake international students’ confidence.
This development comes as a “secular” India experiences a Government aided rise in xenophobia and hate crimes.
.webp)
