Tensions Flare in Pune: ABVP and NSUI Workers Clash at COEP Hostel Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Event
A violent altercation broke out between members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) at the COEP Technological University hostel campus on Friday. The clash occurred just ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ student interaction event in the city, prompting a heavy police deployment to restore order.
Conflicting narratives have emerged from both student organizations regarding the catalyst for the confrontation:
- NSUI and Congress Claims: Congress leaders alleged that ABVP members cornered, threatened, and illegally confined two female hostellers inside campus premises after the students voiced support for Gandhi’s event and spoke out regarding ongoing scholarship issues.
- ABVP Counter-Claims: ABVP representatives denied the allegations, maintaining that NSUI workers trespassed into the hostel premises and coerced female students into registering for the upcoming political program.
राहुल गांधी जी की ऐतिहासिक Pune Rally के ठीक पहले Colleges और Hostels में जाकर ABVP के गुंडे बेटियों को धमका रहे है, बंधक बना रहे है उन्हें पीट रहे है,
लेकिन अब वो ये गलती करने की हिमाकत न करें, क्योंकि अब उन्ही की भाषा में जबाव देने के लिए कांग्रेस कार्यकर्ता तैयार है। pic.twitter.com/kmKtKSFWMc
— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) August 21, 2026
Following the incident, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar visited the hostel premises to inspect the situation and offer support to the affected students, strongly condemning the alleged intimidation by ABVP activists. Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress Media President Akshay Jain labeled the incident “extremely unfortunate,” reiterating that the female students were targeted solely for exercising their voice.
Meanwhile, ABVP Pradesh Mantri Atharv Kulkarni maintained that student safety and hostel rules were violated by outside political workers pushing event registrations. Local police units remain deployed across the COEP campus to prevent further escalation and ensure security leading up to the event. Stay tuned to know more about it and others only with us.
