Delhi University student leader attacked by ABVP, faces rape threats
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New Delhi: Anjali, an All India Students Association (AISA) leader at Delhi University, has expressed serious concern after receiving continuous rape threats on social media, following her assault by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Sunday, February 15.
In a video message shared online, Anjali stated that “all my personal details, including my parents’ names, my phone number, my locality, have been leaked.” She added that ABVP members physically assaulted her, and videos of the incident exposed her body parts and undergarments.
“If such things continue to happen, what about my dignity and safety?” the student leader asked. She emphasised that the matter is not about political ideology, saying, “This is not about right wing or left wing. It is about people seeking social equality. We are demanding laws that would protect the dignity of a community which has been marginalised and exploited for years.”
Anjali explained that the incident escalated after she tried to help a journalist from the Dalit community who was assaulted by a YouTube influencer, Ruchi Tiwari, on February 11. “In the video shared online, Tiwari is seen clutching the journalist, who was surrounded by Tiwari’s supporters who abused him physically and verbally.”
When Anjali attempted to intervene, Tiwari pushed her to the ground, and her supporters molested her. She and fellow AISA leader Neha, also a Delhi University student, faced further harassment when they approached the police to file a complaint. On February 13, both leaders were given rape threats by ABVP members in the presence of Delhi police personnel.
In a video shared on social media, ABVP members are heard shouting sexual abuses at Anjali and Neha. One of them said, “You were trying to be a leader, now give a written complaint and we will see.”
Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh reacted strongly to the video, raising concerns over women’s safety in Delhi. “What is happening in Delhi, where the President and Prime Minister of India reside?” Singh asked. He highlighted that the AISA student leaders are natives of Bihar and Uttarakhand and questioned the law and order situation in the national capital despite the department being under the control of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh asked, “Modi ji, is this what your slogan Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aims to do?” He also criticised media channels in Delhi for their silence, stating, “If the same incident had occurred in states like West Bengal and Punjab, the media would be the first to question law and order situations in those states.”
Singh accused the media of negligence on sensitive issues while attempting to protect the image of the Union government.
