-Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi:The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Delhi unit, led a protest rally in Vijay Nagar, North Campus, on Thursday. This was in response to a violent mob attack on a shop owned by a person from the Northeast community.
The attack happened late on May 28. A mob, allegedly linked to Hindutva outfits, accused the shopkeeper of selling beef. This accusation is often used to provoke communal violence.
A day earlier, SFI had also protested outside the police station. They demanded that an FIR be registered and the attackers be arrested. However, the police did not take any action.
SFI then organized a protest march through the locality. The rally ended at the site of the attack. Students held placards and chanted slogans against communal hatred. They called the attack a targeted act meant to intimidate marginalized groups and polarize campuses.
Eyewitnesses said the mob broke into the shop and physically attacked the person inside. The incident has caused fear among Northeast students and residents. This community has long faced racial bias and violence in Delhi.
“These are not isolated attacks,” said SFI Delhi’s Sohan Yadav. “They are part of a growing pattern of communal targeting. We won’t be silent while our fellow students are harmed. We demand an FIR and strict punishment for the attackers.”
SFI also slammed the police for not registering a complaint or arresting anyone. The student body said police inaction supports a culture of impunity. This, they argued, emboldens those who commit hate crimes under the excuse of religious policing.
“This is bigger than one shop,” said Nila Sharma, a student from Manipur at Delhi University. “It’s about our safety in our homes and colleges. We shouldn’t live in fear because of our identity.”
The protest saw support from several student and civil society groups. These included AISA, DSU, and other progressive platforms. They showed solidarity with the Northeast community and vowed to fight communal and racial injustice on campuses.
Students also shared a petition. It urged Delhi Police and Delhi University to protect Northeast students. It asked for strong measures against hate crimes and better safety systems.
“We’re reclaiming our campuses from hate,” Yadav said in his closing speech. “This isn’t the India we were promised. If the system fails, we students will take a stand.”
The protest ended peacefully. But the message was strong: students in Delhi will not accept communal threats. They will stand together for justice and diversity.
Meanwhile, a team visited the house of the attacked shopkeeper in Vijay Nagar. The delegation included SFI Delhi Secretary Aishe Ghosh, President Sooraj Elamon, and trade union leader Vipin. They assured full support to the victim and his family.
SFI Delhi said they would connect with all Northeast students facing threats or discrimination in the city.
