He condemned the police crackdown on protesting students in Mangaluru

BJP Yuva Morcha leader Shiva Ashtagi. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

BJP Yuva Morcha leader Shiva Ashtagi has condemned the alleged use of force by the police against students who were staging a peaceful protest led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Mangaluru against the conduct of semester examinations during the Dasara holidays.

In a statement, Mr. Ashtagi said the university’s decision to hold exams during the Dasara holidays ignored students’ religious sentiments, festive celebrations and academic interests.

He said the government should listen to students’ grievances and address them through dialogue rather than suppressing protests with police action. He also emphasized that the police should have treated the female students with dignity and acted in accordance with the law.

He alleged that the Congress government had failed to address the academic problems of the students, pointing to administrative confusion, examination scheduling problems and disruption of courses in various universities. He called on the government and universities to protect the education rights and future of students, especially those from the economically weaker and disadvantaged sections.

Published – 13 Oct 2026 22:32 IST