On December 19, 2022, around 12:30 pm, Mr. Vivekanand Pathak, an ex-student of the university, was attacked by security guards while going to the university campus bank for KYC-related work. The guards hit him with sticks and the butt of a gun, causing head injuries. When students tried to assist him, the guards started firing. FIRs were later filed against the protesting students on December 20, 2022.

HRDA believes that the brutal lathi charge, firing, and FIRs against protesting students are acts of reprisal by the University administration.

HRDA condemns the unprovoked lathi charge and firing on unarmed protestors as serious violations of constitutionally guaranteed rights. The right to freedom of peaceful assembly is fundamental in a democracy, protected by Article 19 (1) (b) of the Indian Constitution. The appeal urges NHRC to direct the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh to quash all FIRs against protesting students, initiate an independent investigation into the incident, and take urgent action against the responsible police personnel.