ABVP, SFI activists clash at HP varsity, six injured

Several activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) sustained injuries following a violent clash at Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) on Thursday. The altercation reportedly began when members of both student organisations were on campus to welcome new students. What started as a verbal argument quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, leaving over six activists injured on their heads, hands and legs.

Police personnel and other students intervened to control the situation. A video of the scuffle has since gone viral on social media, showing members of both groups exchanging blows as police officers and bystanders attempted to separate them.

ABVP members alleged that the clash began when SFI activists made derogatory remarks near the university gate and then physically attacked them. According to ABVP, several of its activists sustained injuries during the assault. The organisation has demanded strict disciplinary action against the SFI and has lodged an FIR with the police.

The SFI, however, has accused the ABVP of instigating the violence. SFI campus secretary Mukesh Kumar claimed that ABVP activists misbehaved with SFI members, made provocative remarks and attacked them. He added that when he attempted to defuse the situation, he was also assaulted. “The SFI strongly condemns this incident and demands immediate action from the university administration and the police against those responsible,” Kumar said.

He further alleged that some ABVP activists involved in the clash had been linked to previous incidents of violence on campus and urged the authorities to act decisively to prevent further unrest.

Police officials confirmed that a case has been registered at the Boileauganj police station. “The situation is under control and an investigation is underway to determine the sequence of events and those responsible,” an officer said. The incident has reignited concerns about rising tensions between student organisations at HPU, with both sides trading accusations of intimidation and disruption of campus peace.