Mumbai, May 5: From past several incidents reported, it seems colleges have become an easy target for hoodlums who usually seen disturbing the atmosphere with different tactics. After much controversy erupted with Jinnah's portrait in the Aligarh Muslim University after activists from the Hindu Yuva Vahini descended on the campus violently demanding that a portrait of Mohammad Ali Jinnah – which has been hanging inside the students’ union hall for 80 years – be taken down. Now, a new controversy has erupted. This time the hoodlums have defaced the chapel of St Stephens college of Delhi University with inflammatory slogan of: 'Mandir Yahi Banega' (temple will be constructed here only).

The Jinnah Portrait row also injured several students following which the local police used tear gas and lathis against the students of the university. The violence was reported hours before an event in the varsity where former vice president Hamid Ansari was scheduled to deliver a lecture.

Over the inflammatory slogans at the chapel door the students union president Sai Aashirwad told reporters, "The inflammatory slogan was written on the chapel's main door, while an 'Om' symbol along with the words 'I'm going to hell' was found on the cross situated behind the chapel yesterday."

"However, the message has been cleared today," he was further quoted as saying.

The Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) also issued a statement. “St Stephen's College has been a shining beacon in granting excellent quality education to students and has played a pivotal role in shaping young minds that have gone to influence policy-making decisions positively. Such an incident brings harm to the very fabric of the institution and to the spirit of the idea of India for which it stands. This incident is condemnable, and strict actions should be taken against those who are found guilty,” NSUI media in-charge Neeraj Mishra said to CNN News 18.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), too, called for action. ABVP Delhi state secretary Bharat Kumar said, “Whoever is responsible for this must be booked. ABVP condemns this act of vandalism,” he said.

Meanwhile, the college administration had announced preparatory holidays for students from April 28, with only those having practical exams attending the college.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 05, 2018 05:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).