VARANASI, Aug. 13 -- A group of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) students observed a one-day fast at the Students' Union building complex on Wednesday to protest the alleged police lathi-charge and use of force on students in Ranchi, Jharkhand. During the demonstration, the students expressed solidarity with their counterparts in Jharkhand, arguing that using force against those presenting democratic demands was unjustified. Participants alleged that police in Jharkhand lathi-charged and chased protesting students, causing multiple injuries and reportedly deployed tear gas. Abhishek Kumar Singh, a former member of the BHU Student Council, condemned the incident, calling the police action "completely unacceptable." Student leader Abhay Singh 'Mikku' echoed these concerns, demanding an impartial inquiry into the allegations of brutality. Other student leaders emphasised the need for dialogue. Harsh Tripathi stated that student grievances should be resolved through democratic processes, while Shivam Sonkar noted that while the administration must maintain law and order, it should refrain from using unnecessary force against peaceful protesters. The protest concluded at 5 pm when the university's dean of students, Professor Ranjan Kumar Singh, and former general secretary of the BHU Students' Union, Dr Bhupendra Singh Rintu, helped the students break their fast by offering them juice. Organisers stressed that the protest was non-political, intended solely to support student rights and demonstrate national unity among the student community. They called on authorities to address the Jharkhand students' demands and conduct a thorough investigation into the incident....