Rahul Gandhi’s photo triggers protest against politicisation of college campus

Mysuru: A protest erupted at Maharani’s PU College on Narayana Shastri Road yesterday after Congress activists organised a lecture programme, ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj: Student Dialogue, Where the Education Revolution Begins’, on the campus.

BJP workers objected to the display of posters of political leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, on LED screens at the venue.

The afternoon programme, organised in the backdrop of the NEET question paper leak controversy, also drew criticism from the BJP for displaying images of students who had died by suicide alongside Rahul Gandhi’s photographs.

Following the programme, former MP Prathap Simha and City BJP President L. Nagendra led hundreds of party workers to the college, alleging that students from Government schools and colleges had been brought to the event to further the Congress’ political agenda.

Raising slogans against the Congress and the college administration, BJP workers accused the organisers of politicising an educational institution.

Tense atmosphere

The situation turned tense as Congress workers responded with slogans against the Union Government, asserting that  they had every right to hold the programme.

The face-off between the two groups continued for more than an hour. The confrontation intensified when MLA K. Harishgowda and Nagendra were involved in a heated verbal exchange.

Amid the escalating tension, the college administration removed the banner that featured Rahul Gandhi along with images of students who had died by suicide.

Police, who had already barricaded the campus, prevented BJP workers from entering the premises and detained several of them, including Nagendra. They were released later.

Defending the programme, MLA K. Harishgowda said, “We are only trying to inspire students. There is no political agenda behind the event and Rahul Gandhi’s photograph was never displayed. BJP leaders are making false allegations.”

However, BJP leaders rejected the claim, alleging that photographs and videos from the venue clearly showed Rahul Gandhi’s image being displayed on LED screens.

College Principal P. Somanna said the programme had been permitted based on directions from Deputy Director of Pre-University Education (DDPU).

“The programme was intended to motivate students in the context of NEET. Permission was granted as per departmental directions,” he said.