Satya Niketan Building Collapse: NSUI-ABVP Workers Clash at Rescue Site, Vinod Jakhar Alleges BJP MLA Link

New Delhi: Tensions flared at the Satya Niketan building collapse site in southwest Delhi as workers of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were involved in a verbal confrontation during ongoing rescue operations.

The political friction emerged as student organisations reached the site to assist students and coordinate relief efforts following the collapse of a five-storey building being used as a private paying guest accommodation.

The tragedy has claimed seven lives, while rescue teams have continued operations at the site. The building, located near Delhi University's South Campus, collapsed on Sunday while repair work was reportedly underway.

Vinod Jakhar Alleges BJP MLA Link

NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar demanded accountability over the incident and alleged that the collapsed hostel building was operated by a BJP MLA.

Speaking to ANI, Jakhar claimed that around 50 students were staying in the building and questioned why the media and people attempting to help were allegedly being prevented from reaching the site. He also questioned the response time of the police and fire services.

Jakhar said the students had come to Delhi to study and alleged that they had become victims of corruption and inadequate safety arrangements. He called for responsibility to be fixed for the incident and questioned who would be held accountable for the condition of other student PG accommodations in the capital.

The allegation regarding the building's alleged BJP connection has not been independently established in the reports reviewed. Authorities are investigating the collapse and the circumstances surrounding the building's ownership and construction work.

NSUI, ABVP Workers at Rescue Site

Both NSUI and ABVP members were present during the rescue efforts, but their approaches and political positions led to tensions at the site.

NSUI members, led by Jakhar, said they were assisting trapped students and providing support to those affected by the tragedy. The Tribune reported that around 200 NSUI members reached the site, with volunteers helping provide food and drinking water and coordinating emergency assistance.

Meanwhile, Delhi University Students' Union president and ABVP leader Aryan Maan said ABVP workers were coordinating with officials and rescue agencies. He said communication had been established with students who remained trapped and that the NDRF, fire brigade and other agencies were working at the site.

The verbal confrontation between the two student organisations added a political dimension to an already tense rescue operation.

Rescue Operations Continue

NDRF, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police and other agencies have been engaged in the rescue operation. Earthmoving equipment and sniffer dogs have been deployed to search through the debris.

The building was reportedly around 50 years old and housed students in paying guest accommodation. Preliminary reports indicated that repair or renovation work was being carried out in the basement before the structure collapsed. The exact cause remains under investigation.

Authorities have also taken action following the incident. The MCD suspended five officials, including its South Zone Deputy Commissioner, amid scrutiny over civic oversight and building safety.

Political Row Over Student Safety

The Satya Niketan tragedy has triggered wider questions about the safety of private PG accommodations used by students in Delhi.

Student organisations have demanded greater accountability and safety audits of buildings used as hostels and PGs. ABVP members separately protested at the MCD headquarters, demanding action over alleged civic negligence and calling for safety checks of student accommodation.

The incident has also renewed concerns over Delhi University's limited hostel capacity and the dependence of thousands of students on privately operated PG accommodation.

As rescue and investigation efforts continue, the focus is now on determining the exact cause of the collapse, fixing responsibility and ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in student accommodation ac