Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The image of the prestigious 134-year-old Government Holkar Science College took a beating on Monday as students, angry at the cancellation of their “Holi Fest”, held the principal and senior teachers hostage for nearly an hour. Electricity supply to Yashwant Hall was also cut off during the protest, which included members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Principal Dr Anamika Jain has filed a complaint with district collector Asheesh Singh regarding the incident. As per reports, final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students had planned a Holi celebration, including a DJ and rain dance, scheduled for March 7 and 8. Initially, they claimed to have received verbal permission from the principal.

However, when posters promoting the event were put up around the college, the administration intervened and removed them. The principal, concerned about potential misconduct during the celebrations, later denied permission for the event. Following the cancellation, students confronted the college authorities, demanding a valid reason. When Jain was unavailable due to a meeting, tension escalated on the campus.

At around 3 pm, during a staff meeting in Yashwant Hall, protesting students barged in and locked nearly 30 teachers, including the principal, inside. Some students also disconnected the electricity supply, plunging the hall into darkness. The frightened staff had to call employees to restore power. Later, Bhanwarkuan police were called who brought the situation under control. However, some student leaders continued to pressure the principal regarding the programme.

Principal’s concern over students’ safety

Dr Jain said that she had initially allowed a simple Holi celebration but withdrew permission on seeing posters advertising a rain dance and DJ party. “I was concerned that the event might lead to incidents of molestation or misconduct with female students. When I asked the students to cancel it, they protested and locked the teachers inside the hall,” she explained. She said that she had met collector Asheesh Singh and informed him about the incident.

ABVP denies its involvement

Ritesh Patel, ABVP in-charge in Holkar College, distanced the organization from the protest, saying that the students were independently organizing the Holi event. “Some ABVP workers were present but the organization itself did not participate in the protest,” he clarified.