Ahead of the Delhi University students' union polls, the RSS-affiliated ABVP on Tuesday installed busts of V D Savarkar, Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh 'without due permission' outside the gate of Arts Faculty in north campus.
The move has been criticised by the Congress-affiliated NSUI and Left-backed AISA which said Savarkar cannot be kept on the same pedestal as Bose and Singh.
The two-feet long busts in white marble have been placed on a 6.5-ft-long pillar which is red in colour.
ABVP-led Delhi University Students' Union president Shakti Singh said they had approached the university administration and civic authorities repeatedly for permission to install the busts, but there was no response from it.
"We had been approaching the administration for permission since November last year but there has been no response. I requested them for permission again on August 9 but to no avail. Their silence forced us to take the step," he said.
Singh said they will protest if the administration tries to remove the statues.
"The students' union pleas and demands for everything have fallen on deaf ears. We had requested that a cell where Bhagat Singh was kept for nine days which is in the building which houses the vice-chancellor's office be thrown open for the public but there was no response," he claimed.
He also said the trio contributed in the freedom struggle but history was unjust to them and it is important that students learn about them and their contribution.
"Today, there are leftist forces that are talking about breaking up this nation. These freedom fighters will inspire students. In our country, if you want to start a debate or discussion, installing a statue or naming a road after someone is the best way to do that," he said
NSUI's Delhi unit president Akshay Lakra criticised the ABVP move, saying, "You cannot put Savarkar on the same pedestal as Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose."
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