Hyderabad: A controversy has erupted after Muslim girl students from Shantiniketan Women’s College in Erragadda alleged they were misled into attending Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s public meeting at Nizam College instead of a scholarship protest.
The students claimed that Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) volunteers told them they were being taken to participate in a protest over scholarship-related issues. However, after reaching the venue on Monday, they allegedly realised that they had been brought to a political rally.
According to the students, the large crowd at the event left them feeling frightened and uncomfortable.
Video of students at rally goes viral
The incident gained public attention on Tuesday after a video showing the burqa-clad students at the rally circulated on social media.
Parents also alleged that the organisers had not clearly informed the students about the nature of the event before taking them to the venue.
The incident triggered criticism and questions over the manner in which the students were mobilised for the political gathering.
College principal says management was misled
Responding to the controversy, Shantiniketan Women’s College principal Amba Ramaswamy said the college management had been informed that the students were being taken to a protest concerning scholarships.
She said the organisers had not disclosed that the destination was Amit Shah’s public meeting and maintained that the college management was also misled about the programme.
The principal apologised to the students and their parents and expressed regret over the incident.
The controversy has raised concerns about transparency and the need to ensure that students are fully informed about the purpose of events they are asked to attend.
