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A theatrical performance at the University of Hyderabad sparked clashes between student groups on February 29th, leading to protests and counter-protests. The play, titled “Disha Torana,” was staged by the Student Islamic Organisation (SIO) and focused on the 2020 Hyderabad veterinary doctor’s gang-rape and murder case, alongside broader issues of social justice.
The performance drew strong opposition from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). ABVP activists alleged the play was “anti-national” and distorted the facts of the case, specifically claiming it portrayed the accused in a sympathetic light and attempted to justify the crime. They demanded the play be stopped and the organizers be penalized.
Following the play, ABVP students staged a protest, which was met with a counter-protest by groups including the Progressive Students Forum (PSF), the All India Students Federation (AISF), and the Democratic Students Federation of India (DSFI). These groups defended the play as an artistic expression and criticized the ABVP’s attempts to suppress it.
The situation escalated into a physical altercation between the two sides, resulting in injuries to several students. University security intervened to control the situation, and the police were called to the campus. Police registered cases against students from both groups based on complaints filed by each side.
University authorities have formed a committee to investigate the incident and determine appropriate action. The university has stated it is committed to maintaining peace and order on campus and upholding freedom of expression within permissible limits. The incident has ignited a debate on campus regarding freedom of speech, artistic expression, and the handling of sensitive social issues. Student groups continue to voice their concerns and demand accountability from both the university administration and the police.
