The police in Vijayawada have registered cases against 22 members of the All India Students Federation (AISF) for allegedly assaulting an activist of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Friday.

The incident occurred at IV Palace, when BJYM activists tried to disrupt a meeting organised by the AISF, in which JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar was participating.

According to the police, the tussle between activists of the two groups happened when BJYM activists entered the premises of a meeting organised by the AISF and began shouting slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, to disrupt the meeting. “After being disturbed by the BJYM activists, AISF activists attacked Anil Kumar Behra by hitting him with sticks and hands,” ACP Ramakrishna of West Vijayawada said.

According to Circle Inspector Srinivas Rao of Governorpet police station, cases have been booked against the AISF activists under sections 323, 324 and 506 of the IPC.

However, no arrests have been made in the case yet.

Vikram Reddy, BJYM state president, told TNM that the BJYM was protesting against Kanhaiya because they could not allow encouragement to anti-nationals and anti-national slogans.

M Venu, Telangana state president of the AISF said that the fight had been blown out of proportion by the BJYM activists. “Even they tried to attack our people, but we didn’t file any case against them. How far is it correct to enter into our premises and shout slogans against us? It was an open meeting for all; we invited everyone, but to attend the meeting peacefully, not to raise slogans against us.”