Patna: Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCB), Mothari, is in the middle of a controversy yet again.

Some youths allegedly assaulted Shakti Babu, a Hindi department student, on Thursday afternoon. Students and faculty of the varsity believe the attackers belonged to the same group that had assaulted assistant professor Sanjay Kumar in August.

Shakti, the injured youth, has lodged an FIR against vice-chancellor Arvind Agarwal and a few other university officials.

Bhanu Pratap Singh, the vice-president of Mahatma Gandhi Central University Teachers' Association, said: "The youth had lodged an FIR against VC Arvind Kumar Agarwal, administrative secretary of VC Dinesh Vyas, chief proctor Brijesh Pandey and other unknown assaulters in the case of assault on Shakti Babu under sections 147, 148, 120 (B), 149, 341, 323, and others sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)."

The teachers' association members claimed that the student was hit in his stomach and chest and had to be taken to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment. On the FIR filed against him, VC Agarwal said: "How can I be behind the attack? I am in Delhi on medical leave. I have come to know that the student, who was attacked, was having a dispute with residents of the area. The police are probing the case."

Thursday's attack on the student reminds one about last month's assault on Sanjay Kumar.

Sanjay was beaten up as he was agitating against the university administration, especially against VC Arvind Kumar Agarwal, on August 16.

Sanjay had posted a comment on Facebook against former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which was cited as immediate provocation for the attack on him.

As the university was witnessing tension, exercising his powers according to the Central University Act, 2009, VC Agarwal decided to close down the university from August 20 to September 5, as there were fears of counter violence on the campus, affecting peace and academic activities at the varsity.

Mritunjay Kumar Yadavendu, the joint secretary of the teachers' association, said: "With incidents of attack growing within the university campus there is fear among students and teachers. The teachers' association has written to the Bihar director-general of police and copies of it have been sent to the President, Prime Minister's Office, chief minister of Bihar, HRD minister and others, highlighting the tension at the varsity."

The letter highlights how two faculty members were terminated without citing reasons and reinstated within a fortnight. The letter also highlights how assistant professor Sanjay Kumar was attacked by goons.