Amid growing tension between groups of students, the authorities of Osmania University have refused permission for Beef Festival on December 10 and the rival programme of Gau Puja or cow worship.
An official Press release issued by the university said that no such programme would be permitted on the campus as it may lead to breach of peace.
“The primary objective of the university is purely academic and research-oriented. It is therefore informed to all the concerned, including the teachers, students and staff of the university that activities such as beef festival and Gau Puja which are not related to academics and research, will not be permitted on the campus. Cooperation is solicited in maintaining the academic environment and peace in the larger interest of the student community”.
The university officials took the decision after seeking legal opinion in view of the raging controversy over the decision of left and Dalit students organisations to hold beef festival and counter threat by the Hindu organization and a BJP MlA T Raja Singh to react violently and also hold a Gau Pooja program.
Deputy commissioner of police limba Reddy said the role of the police will be to maintain peace and order in the campus. “As far as organising the food festivals is concerned it was for the university to take decision. Police has no power to stop it”, he said.
Meanwhile, a group of students belonging to tribal Banjara Committee decided to organise the festival of pork. Chairman of the Banjara Students Joint Action Committee said their festival would showcase the traditional foods of Banjara community.