Patna: The Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU), Motihari, will remain closed indefinitely beginning Monday because of the prevailing tension on the campus.

University vice-chancellor (VC) Arvind Agarwal, exercising his powers under Central University Act 2009, has decided to shut down the university indefinitely beginning August 20, as there is a threat to students, teaching and the non-teaching staff. "We have decided to close the university indefinitely, as we fear there will be counter-violence on the campus."

Sources said the university administration took the decision in the wake of Friday's incident, when Sanjay Kumar, an assistant professor in the sociology department, was beaten up by some youths on alleged instructions from the varsity administration. Sanjay, who is undergoing treatment at Patna Medical College and Hospital, said he was attacked while giving tuition at his Azad Nagar rented house.

"The attackers tried to pour petrol on me and threatened to teach me a lesson for speaking against VC Arvind Agarwal, associate professor Pavnesh Kumar and others. The attackers were also raising slogans about a comment I made on social media on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee following his death."

Sanjay's colleague at the university, Mritunjay Kumar, said: "My friend Sanjay's condition is not good. The last time any doctor visited here was at 3.30pm on Saturday. No doctor has visited patients since." When The Telegraph asked the patient's attendants for his injury report, they declined to provide it saying they have to shift the patient to another hospital.