Leuven (The Brussels Morning newspaper): A fight broke out on October 29, 2022, between three students and members of the far-right NSV in Leuven, injuring one student and raising concerns about political tensions and extremism on campus.
On October 29, 2022, three students were walking in Oude Markt, Leuven, when they met members of the Nationalistische Studentenvereniging (NSV), a right-wing student group known for its controversial ideas. This led to a heated discussion. The incident happened during rising tensions between different student groups. NSV had recently lost its status as a student organization at the University of Leuven after hosting a talk with Dries Van Langenhove, a far-right politician known for his extreme views.
What caused the clash between students and NSV members in Leuven?
Dries Van Langenhove’s lecture was a big reason why NSV lost its university recognition it didn’t fit with the university’s values of being inclusive. This meant NSV couldn’t use university spaces or hold events, which made it harder for them to connect with students. When three students met NSV members in Oude Markt, they argued about their political views, with the students criticizing NSV’s far-right beliefs and NSV saying they had the right to express themselves. It has been said that Students in Leuven are becoming more divided over politics and the role of far-right groups, reflecting a bigger debate in Belgium about free speech and how universities should stay respectful and inclusive.
The students said that NSV members got aggressive, putting one student in a headlock and hitting him with a beer mug, which hurt him. More NSV members joined in, leading to more violence, while bystanders watched and some tried to help. This fight showed the rising tensions between different student groups, especially since NSV is controversial and lost its recognition from the university after inviting a far-right politician to speak. It raised worries about political violence on campus and made people think about how universities should handle extremist groups and keep students safe.
The lawyer for the three guys talked about “blind rage” and wanted about 11,000 euros in damages and community service for the NSV members. But the judge said no and let the three men go free. The judge explained that there wasn’t enough proof about who hurt anyone and whether it was self-defense or if they were provoked. The judge also said the video didn’t clearly show if the beer mug was used to hit someone or to block a hit.
