ABVP Protests Turn Violent at MCD Headquarters Over Satya Niketan Building Collapse

Synopsis

Satya Niketan building collapse: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members protested the Satya Niketan building collapse at the MCD headquarters. Protesters entered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi building and allegedly vandalized premises. They demanded the resignation of the MCD Commissioner over safety compliance issues. Student groups also traded allegations at the collapse site earlier. The protest followed the deaths of five people in the building collapse.

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Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members staged a protest over the Satya Niketan building collapse turned violent on Sunday with protesters entering the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) headquarters at the Civic Centre and allegedly vandalised parts of the premises, including damaging glass panels.

The ABVP members were protesting against alleged negligence by the civic body over safety compliance in paying guest (PG) accommodations across Delhi's student hubs and demanding the resignation of MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar.

Police said around 150-200 ABVP students gathered at the Civic Centre and entered the complex through Gate No. 5, staging a demonstration outside the main building and raising slogans against the functioning of the MCD.

Also read: Satya Niketan building collapse: MCD orders immediate sealing of illegal constructions above four floors

Protesters attempt to enter building

According to police, some demonstrators attempted to forcibly enter the main Civic Centre building, following which jostling broke out between protesters and police personnel.

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Around 15 students were detained and taken to Kamla Market police station, where action under the Delhi Police Act was being initiated, a senior police officer said. The remaining protesters were subsequently dispersed.

The situation at the Civic Centre was brought under control and there was no further disturbance, police said.

ABVP demands MCD Commissioner's resignation

The student organisation said it was protesting the MCD's alleged negligence and apathy towards safety standards in PG accommodations and rented buildings, particularly in student-dominated areas.

ABVP demanded a high-level and impartial probe into the Satya Niketan collapse to fix accountability on negligent PG operators and officials responsible for ensuring safety compliance. It also sought an immediate structural and safety audit of PGs and rented buildings across Delhi's student hubs, along with strict action against facilities found violating safety norms.

ABVP national general secretary Virendra Singh Solanki said the collapse was a "deeply tragic and alarming" incident and demanded accountability from officials who allegedly failed to ensure student safety.

"There must be an impartial probe into this collapse, strict action against those responsible, and immediate justice for the affected students. Accountability must be fixed for officials who failed to ensure student safety, and the MCD Commissioner should resign immediately," Solanki said.

Student bodies trade allegations at collapse site

Earlier, tensions had escalated at the Satya Niketan collapse site in southwest Delhi, where workers of ABVP and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) clashed during the ongoing rescue operations.

NSUI president Vinod Jakhar demanded accountability and alleged serious lapses in the rescue operation and disaster preparedness. He also alleged that the collapsed building was linked to a BJP MLA, an allegation that was not independently verified.

Jakhar demanded the demolition of private PG accommodations and the construction of government hostels, besides compensation for families of those killed and the best possible medical treatment for injured students.

Meanwhile, Delhi University Students Union president and ABVP leader Aryan Maan said rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force, were working at the site and students trapped inside were being shifted to hospitals.

ABVP national social media convenor Prerna Bhardwaj said the organisation had been present at the site since Sunday in solidarity with the affected students and had also protested at the MCD office, demanding the resignation of the civic body's commissioner.

The protest followed the collapse of the building in Satya Niketan in southwest Delhi, in which six people were killed and several others injured.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)