Student attacked at Pune University following religious slurs, accused of 'Love Jihad'

A 19-year-old student at Savitribai Phule Pune University was allegedly attacked by a group on Sunday afternoon, accused of "love jihad," as he and his friends were leaving a lunch gathering. The assault on the student followed a barrage of interrogation and demands for personal details and Aadhaar cards.

The situation escalated as the attackers targeted one student, hurling religious insults and baseless accusations. With reinforcements arriving swiftly, the group intensified its harassment, singling out a female companion and issuing threats of violence. The ordeal reached its peak when the student was coerced into calling his parents, only to be met with further verbal abuse and menacing warnings.

The assault culminated in physical violence, leaving both the targeted student and his friend battered and bruised. The incident unfolded within the confines of Ambedkar Bhavan on campus.

In response to the ordeal, authorities have launched a thorough investigation, albeit hindered by the lack of specific identifications provided by the victim. The police have invoked pertinent sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to rioting, criminal intimidation, and physical assault in pursuit of justice.

Amidst mounting concerns over the safety of students, a formal complaint has been lodged with the university administration, urging prompt action to address the disturbing rise in communal violence within academic spaces. As the community grapples with shock and outrage, calls for solidarity and stringent measures against hate-fuelled aggression echo across the campus.