Jain College students claim they've been forced to join Tejasvi Surya’s nomination rally

NEW DELHI: Students of Jain College Bangalore claimed that they were being forced to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tejasvi Surya’s nomination rally, which is scheduled to take place today. The screenshots of WhatsApp messages sent by the student council president asking students to mandatorily attend the rally and promising attendance for it is now going viral on social media.

“Greetings members, Tomorrow all the members of the student council have to assemble near Maiyas hotel Jaynagar at 9:00 AM for the Tejasvi Surya rally. You'll be getting a T-Shirt so don't be late. Everyone has to be there at the reporting time and no excuses will be entertained. You will be getting attendance for this,” the message from the student council read.

Responding to the invite, students started asking why it is mandatory to attend a political rally. To which, the council replied: “Before you guys get into all of this, I would like to tell you guys that at the time of our fest Tejasvi Surya was obliged by the student council to attend our fest, and now it's our turn to do the same. This is why it is compulsory for us to be there tomorrow as a council and nothing else. Anyone else having any other questions regarding this rally can text me personally,” the screenshot shared on X read.

Students of BMS College of Engineering have also taken to social media urging for an immediate intervention on this matter and claimed they have also been asked to attend the rally.

Several other social media users and students have condemned and demanded the officials to take immediate action. The Election Commission (EC) will conduct the 18th Lok Sabha elections 2024 from April 19 to June 1.