SFI, ABVP clash at South Asian University over non-veg food on Mahashivratri

A violent clash erupted at South Asian University (SAU) in Delhi on Wednesday, 26 February, after a dispute over the availability of non-vegetarian food in mess hall on Mahashivratri.

Behind the altercation — which took place between members of the right-wing, BJP-aligned Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the leftist Students’ Federation of India (SFI) — sits a larger backdrop of contentions on religious freedom and campus politics.

The incident came to light after videos of the scuffle, including footage of a female student being assaulted, surfaced on social media.

The SFI has alleged that ABVP members initiated the attack, targeting students for refusing to comply with their demand to prohibit non-vegetarian food on the Hindu festival.

In an official statement, the SFI said, 'ABVP viciously attacked the students of South Asian University in the university mess because they were not complying with ABVP's draconian and undemocratic demand that no non-veg should be served in the university mess owing to Maha Shivratri.

'ABVP goons are seen on video manhandling and attacking students in the mess. The goons grabbed the hair of women students and dragged them violently during the attack.

'They also attacked the mess staff for serving non-veg food," SFI said in an official statement.'

The leftist student outfit has demanded strict action against the alleged perpetrators.

Countering these allegations, the ABVP has claimed that the violence was incited by the SFI members, who deliberately tried to distribute non-vegetarian food in a mess catering to students observing a fast for the festival.

“The act of forcefully serving non-vegetarian food in a space where many were fasting was an attempt to disturb religious harmony and infringe upon religious freedom,” the ABVP stated, calling for an impartial investigation into the matter.

The Delhi Police confirmed that a PCR call regarding the clash was received at around 3:45 p.m. at Maidangarhi Police Station.

“When we reached the spot, an altercation was underway between two student groups in the mess,” an officer was quoted as saying by The Hindustan Times.

Authorities have stated that they are investigating the matter and will take necessary action based on evidence.

The incident at SAU has reignited concerns over the growing political polarization in universities, with students’ groups frequently clashing over ideological differences. With both sides calling for action against the other, the university administration faces increasing pressure to intervene and ensure a peaceful academic environment.