A government college in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, is at the center of a major scandal after three students were arrested for allegedly filming female students as they changed clothes during a youth festival. The incident, which was captured on CCTV and spread widely on social media, has ignited political confrontation between rival student groups and parties.
What Happened at the Youth Festival?
Police launched an investigation after receiving complaints that a group of young men had secretly recorded female students while they were changing for cultural performances at the Bhanpura Government College. CCTV footage reportedly shows four young men gathered outside the room, one climbing onto another’s shoulders to film through a window. The college principal noticed the suspicious behavior, checked the video evidence, and filed a complaint with police.
BJP से बेटी बचाओ
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 16, 2025
मध्य प्रदेश के मंदसौर में BJP के फ्रंटल ABVP के चार पदाधिकारी एक सरकारी कॉलेज में कपड़े बदलती छात्राओं का चोरी-छिपे वीडियो बनाते पकड़े गए हैं।
उनकी ये घिनौनी करतूत CCTV कैमरे में सामने आई है। ये शर्मनाक हरकत BJP के चाल, चरित्र और चेहरे को उजागर करती है।
एक… pic.twitter.com/qsIPybKQhg
Political Fallout: Protests and Accusations
The accused were identified as student leaders belonging to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Following their arrest, opposition parties—including the Congress—staged large protests at the college, demanding accountability from both the ABVP and the ruling BJP government. Congress activists attempted to burn an effigy of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in protest, but were stopped by police, leading to heated arguments at the scene.
Congress further accused the government and ABVP of protecting the accused and failing to ensure women’s safety on campus, while ABVP claimed that no such incident had occurred and promised to cooperate with the investigation if necessary. The local ABVP unit suspended the main accused from all responsibilities pending inquiry.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
Three suspects, Umesh Joshi, Ajay Gaud, and Himanshu Bairagi, have been arrested and sent to judicial custody, while investigations continue into the possible involvement of a fourth accused. The mobile phones used in the video-making have been seized and sent for forensic examination. The authorities have charged the accused under sections 77 and 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code, relating to privacy violations and criminal intent.
Safety Concerns and Public Outcry
The incident has raised broader concerns about women’s safety, privacy, and campus discipline in Madhya Pradesh. Advocacy groups and student leaders are urging stronger institutional safeguards and rigorous enforcement of the law to prevent such distressing incidents on educational premises in the future.