Latest
DU Beat – Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper
Tag

Administration

Browsing
Campus Central

Student Assaulted During Anti-CAA Protest in Hansraj College

By

On 13th January 2020, the students of Hansraj College, University of Delhi (DU) stopped peaceful protests from happening while a student in the protest alleged violence by a faculty member.

 On 13th January, the students of Hansraj College had given a call for a collective reading of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution and Swami Vivekananda’s historic Chicago Speech. However, as soon as a few of the students had gathered, holding the Indian flag in their hands, the Principal, Dr Rama, came with a few faculty members and started snatching the flag from their hands, taking away their mobile phones and dispersing the crowd.

“I reached LP at 11 am with the National Flag and posters. Dr Rama, The Principal, was already present there with few other teachers and admin staff and was forcing students to vacate the space. Then she rushed towards me and my friend who was holding the other end of the Flag, and tried to snatch the flag. A student also tried to assault us and take away the Flag,” said a student, who wishes not to be named fearing action from the college authorities.

Also, Gaurav Kumar, Physical Education, Professor at Hansraj College, allegedly physically assaulted a third year student due to his participation in the protest.

“Sir told me that he will drag me out of the hostel and beat me up and no one will be able to do anything. Now the problem is, I cannot go anywhere, even the college is adamant on proving me wrong. I’ve filed a written complaint with Rama Ma’am,” the victim told DU Beat.

He added, “Gaurav had a grudge against me as a few days ago, I had shared a screenshot of a post where our professor was using a fake news to attack an actress.”

However, the Assistant Professor denied the claim. The Professor said, “I had confronted him regarding the post, but didn’t touch him. He is lying.”

The student has demanded that the administration of the Hansraj College file an FIR against the teacher, and suspend him until an investigation takes place. Students have decided to hold protests if action is not taken against him.

Image Credits: Anonymous
Image Credits: Anonymous

The original complaint sent to the College administration by the victim.

While all of this was happening, a group of students organised a protest supporting the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in College ground. The administration was lax in reaching out to stop the gathering and was able to stop the pro-CAA gathering, not before videos were made and slogans and chants raised.

Feature Image Credits: Anonymous

 

 

 

Keep Reading
By
Around the Campus

Gargi College Prohibits Protests on Campus

By

 After protests in Gargi College campus against the violence endured by students of Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the government’s anti-people policies, the administration prohibited students from protesting in campus premises.

 On 6th January 2020, the students of Gargi College carried out a peaceful protest and discussion in the campus against police brutality in campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and against Citizenships (Amendment) Act (CAA)-National Register of Citizens (NRC). The gathering was supported by the Students’ Union and was attended by students with posters and placards.

However, on behalf of the Principal, Dr. Promila Kumar, the Union Advisor asked for the protest to be shut down as the posters, apparently, were inappropriate. The advisor also asked the students to carry out the discussion indoors and prohibited sloganeering.

As a result, the students of Gargi College proceeded to recite slogans outside their Campus.

 On 7th January, the Principal, then, in a discussion with the protestors, said that no gathering would be permitted without the principal’s written permission.

The administration of the Gargi College released a notice prohibiting students from participating in any protests unapproved by the principal, stating that all students found doing so would be punished. Moreover, the college now requires prior permission from the police for any gathering outside the college.

IMG-20200110-WA0015

Official Notice by the administration

The notice read, “All students are hereby informed that no gathering or protest of any form in the college premises is allowed without the prior approval of the Principal. Further, the prior permission is required from the police for any protests/gathering outside the College. In case, any student is found protesting in the College premises, disciplinary action shall be taken against such student. Further, if any student protests outside the college, such students shall be solely responsible for his/her action.”

 Ashwini, an Applied Psychology student of the college says, “The gathering was actually something which was approved and put forward by the Students’ Union for which the permission has been granted. However, seeing this bipolar behaviour has upset me to my very core. My college has always been a safe space for something like this, so this wasn’t really something I expected.”

A student, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “On one hand, by calling it a form of protection the College administration and Principal wanted the College to remain away from tangible issues, as they feared misrepresentation. At the same while, the students wanted to stand up and speak out together. It became a conflict inside the College itself where the positivity of solidarity transformed into negativity and resentment amongst students, students’ union, and the authorities.”

The Gargi College Student Union, on 10th January, along with college Department Presidents, organised another gathering in support of students and against the acts of brutality, which went on peacefully.

Students and teachers were witnessed reciting Hum Dekhenge, Hum Honge Kaamyab and other songs in solidarity. Members of Upstage, the stage play society of Gargi College also enacted a small performance on the ongoing distress in the Nation. The gathering ended with a recitation of the Preamble of the Constitution.

 

IMG-20200110-WA0050__01__01 IMG-20200110-WA0049__01__01

Official statement by Students’ Union, Gargi College

Image Credits: Instagram @studentuniongargi

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Satviki Sanjay

[email protected]

 

 

Keep Reading
By
Admissions 2019

Only One Transgender Applicant in 3.6 Lakh Applications to DU

By

With only one transgender applicant this year and no enrollments for regular courses since 2015, the University has had enough reminders to realise the plight of transgender students. DU Beat explores this decline.

University of Delhi (DU) receives the highest number of applications for various courses in the country, and this year was no different. The University received more than three lakh applications, though there was a decline from last year. 3,67,895 number of applications is no less a number, even as only 2,58,388 proceeded ahead and made payments.  In all these applications, women yet again seemed to have become a majority, 84,021 female candidates and 68,457 male candidates applied to the University. Shockingly, only one transgender person has submitted an application this year as compared to last year, or 2017 when the university had 36 applications.

According to the data, the scheduled tribe category saw 4,044 male applicants and 3,056 female applicants. Over 17,000 male candidates and 16,000 female candidates had applied in the SC quota and about 32,926 male candidates and approximately 22,531 female candidates applied for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) non-creamy layer quota.

The newly introduced EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) that has a ten percent quota in the university admissions also had  5,528 male candidates and 3,562 female candidates. This year the varsity has increased its capacity to 62,000 number of seats. It has been stated that there would be a separate cut-off for the EWS category.

The fact that only one transgender student has applied is a huge warning to the varsity. There seems to be very liitle that the university has been able to do to make the college spaces safe for the transgender community. It seems that the stigma attached to the community has not yet gone away and a singular application speaks volumes in this regard. There have been cases of harassments faced by transgenders from other students and staff and that may have been the reason for this decline in approaching the university for admissions.

With incidents of transgender persons being asked, “Since when have you been a transgender person?” by the admission staff. Being subjected to derogatory remarks during the admissions, they tend to take up vocational courses and steer away from the University space.

Even though the TRC (Transgender Resource Centre), established in 2018 had come up with various outreach programs to bring more students to the University fold, they seem to have not yielded substantial results. These outreach programs had begun during the month of April this year.

Equal rights activist Harish Iyer said that he would be writing to the Chief Minister of Delhi about this issue. “If that one candidate seeks admission to a college of DU, the whole college and especially the teaching and the non-teaching staff have to ensure that the student feels at ease and accepted. The civil society has to come together to address the issue.” he stated.

According to officials, last year there were applications from transgender aspirants but no one enrolled for regular courses. The varsity had introduced the Other category in 2015, but there have been no admissions to the regular course under this category so far.

Rajesh from the Department of Adult Continuing Education and Extension said, “Around 15 transgender students had come to us with queries but they all had queries about School Of Open Learning and Indira Gandhi National Open University. They usually prefer to enrol as male or female in regular courses or for distance learning education.”

The University needs to gear up to make sure that more and more transgender students feel welcome in the college space.  This year needs single registration needs to be a stern reminder for the same. It is all of us together who decide for us and others around us. Let us all try to accept each other and build a better future. Marks build your CV, not your character.

Feature Image Credits: The Indian Express

Stephen Mathew

joice.mathew [email protected]

 

 

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

LSR Hostel Only for First Year Students

By

In a move to include OBC candidates into the hostel facility, the governing body has decided to make the college’s hostel an all first-year accommodation.

The governing body of Lady Shri Ram College (LSR)  has decided to convert their college hostel into an all first-year students’ hostel. This decision has been taken after several demands were made by the student union for reservations to OBC students in the college hostel space. It seems that implementing this decision comes at the cost of removing all the second and third years from the hostel facility.  The decision has been justified by the governing body as a step taken due to the lack of enough rooms.

This reservation policy comes at a heavy cost for the students. The reservation would mean that every other student, who is not a first-year, loses the eligibility to apply for the college’s hostel.

In a statement released by the Student Union, this action has been condemned by referring to it as “absurd” and “a calculated attempt to polarise the student body sentiment along already existing fissures in the society.”

While the student body welcomed the administration’s attempts to promote inclusivity by implementing constitutional reservation—that is, providing 27% hostel seats for OBC candidates. It is a move made after several protests. The union responded by stating that the way it is being implemented needs to be spoken against and criticised.

This decision forces the first-year students to look for accommodation facilities outside the college premises. That is, to seek refuge in flats and PGs once they finish their first-year at LSR. It would happen irrespective of their reservation and economic or social standing. This move is not only an economic burden on the students, but also forces them to be subjected to harassment, discrimination, and moral policing at the hands of PG owners and landlords. The housing economy makes students vulnerable, with little bargaining power at their disposal. Shelter being a primal need, students are often coerced to accept the terms of the owners, be it paying a high rent for a small room or accepting being monitored and controlled.

“South Delhi is a very expensive area, especially the locations near colleges. It’s not a feasible option for many of us. This move would lead to the college becoming an elite space, that is simply destroying class inclusivity,” a member of the hostel union said.

Further, this move affects all students, whether they belong to the SC, ST or OBC community. Reportedly, the decision includes “chances” of exemptions for PwD students. Many of the students cannot afford other housing facilities as the college hostel is the most affordable option for them.

This move would also mean that there would not be any Hostel Union from the successive academic sessions as the first-years would have to be removed annually; further curbing any voice that the Hostel Union holds. “This is an absolute form of harassment that the Governing body has decided to engage in,  under the disguise of inclusivity,” the statement by the Union pointed out.

This move would not affect the second and third years in the hostel as of now, but from the next semester. Only first-years would be eligible to apply for the hostel from the next academic session. This would mean that the first years would have to evacuate as they get promoted. The same set of students who are provided with this so-called privilege in one year, are then left to fend for their own, in the immense instability where they are forced to begin the hunt for shelter from scratch. “The students would thus be walking into a huge economic crisis. Parents in the coming years would be compelled to not send their children here. This step is a violation of the right to education itself,” a Student Union member, who did not wish to be named, stated.

This decision has been questioned for a length of time now. The Union had in many instances, written letters against the same to both the principal and the warden.  However, no response was received from the authorities. The Union also went to meet the college principal in person. The principal was not present in the college during office timings. The union has been constantly trying to  convey their disregard. “We have also been trying to gather the faculty’s support,” a Union member said.

The college has been under scrutiny for a long time with its inability to construct more hostels in the campus to accommodate students. The Union reminded the administration that providing shelter to the students was the utmost responsibility of the governing body, and that this facility cannot be served to the students as a privilege. According to the University of Delhi Act, “All colleges are to have hostel spaces for all their students, exempting those acquiring distant education.” (1922, section 33). The college is clearly violating this act. “The college is justifying this by stating that the hostel comes under a Trust. There is no transparency, nor legal documents that back their claim,” the Union member added.

“The admin wishes students to become mere customers; enjoy the hostel services for a year and then get out, go figure the money to be able to afford the ‘magic of LSR’,” the statement pointed out.

The atmosphere certainly is tense between the students and the administration. The Student Union hopes to be able to make negotiations in the coming days before the semester begins.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat archives.

Stephen Mathew

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Common Rooms Fairly Uncommon in DU

By

Out of the colleges that responded to our survey, CVS and St. Stephen’s were the only two co-ed colleges that provided common rooms for both boys and girls. Read on to understand their importance.

We, as Indian students, have embraced the fact that the quality of our lives and education will never improve. Part of it could be traced back to the administrations’ unswerving and unwavering faith in the ideas of denial – both in terms of denying to acknowledge the pathetic state of infrastructure, and denying the students their rights. From a broader spectrum, it is almost mandatory for institutions to provide privacy to the students enrolled, and common rooms are only an extension of it. Why, then, must a premiere institute like the  University of Delhi grossly lag behind?

One (or two) common room(s) in each college of the University is actually not asking a lot. Here, the common narrative of the fees being INR 5,000 will be spewed again. But the fact of the matter is that a public university, run by the central government, has sufficient amount of funds, which again, we are paying as the tax. There are, of course, girls’ colleges like Lady Shri Ram, Jesus and Mary, and Vivekananda that provide students with common rooms. And others like Ramjas, Khalsa, Hansraj, Rajdhani, and Moti Lal Nehru College that provide common rooms to just girls. But most of the other DU colleges fail to follow suit.

“During the process of upgradation of college campuses in their structural capacity, these common rooms should be promoted to provide a space to the students in the campuses, which besides studies and sports, allow them to unwind the day while maintaining their privacy,” says Aeshal Nisar Dalal, President, CVS Students’ Union.

Flipside to it would be the opinions of students in such colleges. “BCR (Boys’ Common Room) has no facilities, not even a mirror, let alone an AC,” says Sameer Dabra, a second-year student of English Honours from College of Vocational Studies (CVS). “Guys are found playing PUBG there most of the time.” Even where students have been given a provision of this seeming luxury, the condition of
these rooms is a sorry state of affairs, altogether.

“The common rooms are as good as non-existent! The management and the union, every election season make hollow promises to improve the ill-maintained rooms but it continues to remain in shambles,” confirms Kshitij Naagar, an English student in his first-year.

Representatives from the Students Union of St. Stephen’s were, unfortunately, were not available to comment. While CVS must be appreciated for their action towards student-centric ideologies, there is still a long way to go. As far as the other colleges are concerned, it is about time that they learned from CVS, Stephen’s, and the above-mentioned girls’ colleges, and respect basic human dignity by essentially normalising the process of giving students their rights.

Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Maumil Mehraj
[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

DSJ Students May Move to Court Against the University

By

As stated in a press release, the students of Delhi School of Journalism have decided to move to the court for non-delivering of the promised facilities.

Delhi School of Journalism (DSJ) has been in the limelight for continuous protests and agitation against the University administration for non-fulfilment of basic infrastructure facilities like a proper media lab and a computer lab required for the course, since its inception. Dr. M.M. Yogi, Officer on Special Duty, Delhi School of Journalism had assured the students that their demands would be fulfilled ‘soon’, but the situation remains unchanged.

In a revolutionary move, students have now decided to appeal to the apex court against the University to resolve their problems and grievances. According to a press release, students of DSJ, Mohammad Ali, Suman Shekhar, Shahid Ansari,and Ankit Shukla moved to the Supreme Court regarding the matter.

Mohammad Ali, a second-year student of DSJ informed DU Beat that despite paying the highest fee in the University of Delhi, students of DSJ are deprived of basic facilities. He also stated that this step has been undertaken after facing disappointment by the hands of other senior authorities of Delhi University like the Vice Chancellor and Registrar. The students are seeking help from renowned lawyer Mr. Prashant Bhushan.

Maknoon Wani, another student of DSJ stated “The University and DSJ administration have collectively breached our trust. After a series of protests and the subsequent assurances given to us in writing, there hasn’t been any significant development in our college. No media lab has been established and we don’t have the infrastructure required for the proper functioning of the course. Lack of transparency is also an issue for us.” He added that the University has not made any records public citing that the audit has not been done. As a last resort, the students have decided to move to the court.

On the other hand, a press release by Professor J.P. Dubey, Honorary Director of DSJ stated that the students are being provided with the basic facilities, decent classrooms, media workshops, and field visits. It also states that students of third and fourth semester have been provided laptops and are also being exposed to various national and international agencies. 25% students from each batch and section are provided fee concession of 20% to 80% of the tuition fee was also mentioned in the release.

Mohammad Ali believes that if everything goes well, they will soon file an official court case against the University with the help of senior lawyer, Prashant Bhushan. Mr.Bhushan has also assured the students to help them in every possible way.

 

(With inputs from DU Beat Archives)

 

Image Credits: Suman Shekhar

Sakshi Arora

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
DUB News

Dyal Singh College in Crisis: Principal’s office sealed

By

Dyal Singh College faces a big administrative crisis as the Principal’s office gets sealed over ongoing probe on financial and administrative irregularities.

 

Dyal Singh College, faces a big crisis as a part of the ongoing tussle between the Principal and the Chairman. It all started when, on September 24, 2018, Governing Body [GB] chairman Mr. Amitabh Sinha issued an order, sending the Principal on a ‘long leave’. The reason stated was alleged him of being guilty for the financial and administrative irregularities. The Principal, I.S. Bakshi was charged with serious allegations regarding the state of financial and administrative irregularities and was asked to avoid visiting campus during the inquiry against him. Despite the notice, Bakshi has been continued coming to college, chiding the allegations as “illegal” with mala fide intentions.

The tussle grew stronger when the Chairman overturned the decision of the college’s Election Committee to cancel the election of Rohan Awana, an ABVP member, as president.

Things escalated as Mr. Sinha sealed his office on Friday, claiming it had been occupied ‘without authority’. The Principal also received a letter from the college’s bank stating that no transactions will be processed with his signature, as they have been mandated by the GB to conduct all official transactions through the officiating or the acting principal.

In a letter addressed to the chairman dated October 10th 2018, the branch manager of State Bank of India, Lodhi Road stated that the appointment of the acting principal should be done in accordance with the prescribed guidelines of the Ordinance XVIII which states that in absence of the Principal, the vice-principal will act as the principal, and in the vice-principal’s absence, the most-senior teacher will take over the administration and financial duties. This stands for colleges other than those that are maintained by the Government Of India.

According to a report in Jagran Josh, the tussle between the Principal and Chairman is reportedly causing financial losses to employees. DSC teachers’ Association’s president PK Parihar stated that the money is not being transferred into their PF account because of which they are losing interest and the medical reimbursement of all, especially the pensioners, is under threat.

Following the sealing of the office, Bakshi will be allowed inside the college campus only after the convener of the inquiry committee, Mr. OP Malik, retired IPS officer and DGP, provides written information, according to recent sources on the issue.

Sources: The Indian Express, Jagran Josh

Feature Image Credits:  The Hindu, image of the notice from the college’s official website

 

Avnika Chhikara

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep Reading
By
Admissions 2017

SGTB Khalsa College torments young cricketer trying to secure admission

By

In another case of carelessness on the part of college administrators, a 17 year old champion cricketer Ajay Guliya was denied admission into the college of his choice due to carelessness of the authorities. Ajay scored 79 out of 100 in the varsity’s sports trials, which was claimed to be the highest for a left arm spinner. However, the student was shocked to know that he was not shortlisted by the top college of his choice, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, in the first merit list which was released by the college on Sunday.

The reason behind his name not being in the merit list, as given by the college authorities stated that his form was misplaced. This new came as a shock to Ajay and his family because hundreds of students compete to get into University of Delhi from across the country and the university admits about 54,000 undergraduates every year. Five percent of all college seats are reserved for students under the sports and extracurricular activities quota. Ajay was confident about his chances as he had displayed his talent as an all rounder cricketer in the Under 19 team at the national level, as well as the Under 14 and Under 16 teams from Delhi state.  He was surprised to know that students who scored lower than him were selected, in place of him. Now Ajay has been asked to wait for the second merit list, even though he has easily made the cut in the first list.

Ajay Guliya was later contacted by Anil Kalkal, the Sports Council Director, assuring him that a seat would be given to him in the second list of SGTB Khalsa College.
An official of the sports admission committee at Khalsa College admitted that the form was misplaced. On conditions on anonymity, he stated that the action was an unintentional mistake and the college has not denied him admission. They have assured him that a seat would be given in the second admission list, but he is adamant to rake the issue. It was further on added that SGTB Khalsa College holds the reputation of sending the maximum number of cricket players on the University level, hence the mistake is unintentional.

Rakesh Guliya, Ajay Guliya’s father believes that this is no way to treat a national level player who is trying to mould his future. He believes that his son’s admission process has been full of hurdles, and now Khalsa College is taking his son’s future for granted.

On Monday, Guliya finally secured admission in Hindu College. However, this incident threw light upon the faulty mechanisms of college administrations. Does this call for more transparency in the field of admissions under the sports and ECA quota?

Feature Image Credits: India Today

Joyee Bhattacharya

([email protected])

Keep Reading
By
Kirorimal College

KMC hostelers shut college gates to protest against raised fees

By

After numerous petitions to the college authorities, the hostelers of Kirori Mal College (KMC) planned a radical protest by closing the entry gates to college during the peak hours of college lectures. It is reported that the college authorities had abruptly raised the hostel fee by a considerable amount and had passed on the amount given as fee concession for differently abled hostelers to the other residents in the KMC Hostel.

A hosteler reported that the protest or the “dharna” was planned only after pleading with the Warden a number of times. As there was no support from the Warden, the decision was taken to close the gates. At 9:15 am the KMC entry gates were closed and the hostel residents were seen sitting on the floor and protesting. This opposition was lead by M.A. and M.Sc. residents of KMC Hostel. Around 10 am, a few police officials came to stop the protest but their measures were ineffective. The teachers were allowed to enter when one of the senior professors promised to inform the teaching faculty to post-pone the tests and presentations that were to be held that day. After being sneered by the members while entering the college, the Principal decided to call for a meeting. After discussing among themselves, the hostelers finally opened the gates. The follow-up negotiations were done in the Principal’s office, in presence of other college authorities.

Students witnessing this event in the scorching heat entered the college premises at 11:15 am. The silent protest went on till 1:30 pm right outside the Principal’s office. It was decided that a concession of Rs. 2900 should be granted to the hostelers. It was reported that earlier, during a meeting a concession of 1400 rupees had also been given.

The students seemed content with negotiations and they hope that the principal remains true to his word. “Finally, the college authorities have granted a concession towards our hostel accommodation fee appraisal. I hope that they would also look into our other wants – purification of hard water supply and subsidizing electricity”, said Pankaj Kumar, a hosteler.

Keep Reading
By
Daulat Ram College

Delhi High Court clears path for appointment of Daulat Ram College principal

By

On Monday, 10th March 2014, the Delhi high court authorised the Daulat Ram College trust to appoint a new Principal of the college, instead of functioning under an acting principal. At present the college is being served by Dr. Daya Aggarwal, the acting principal of the college, who is the sister of BJP leader, Vijay Goel. The college moved to the court in order to seek evacuation of Dr. Daya Aggarwal, who was avowed as acting principal of college on February 2, 2013.

Delhi University had issued a notification regarding the appointment of a regular principal in the college on March 7, after an executive council meeting for the qualification. In response to which, Justice Shakdher disposed off the petition, stating that the college can now appoint a new principal.

The college trust accused that Dr. Aggarwal was “occupying” the post of acting principal without sanction or approval of the governing body while the University has been constantly interfering in appointment of the college principal and insisting the college trust to reappoint Dr. Daya Aggarwal as acting principal.

Her term was to expire in August. However, the trust alleged it was compelled re-appointment, regardless of the fact that she is not fit for the post. The college had to appoint an acting principal for terms of six months each on temporary basis and she was re-appointed to the post in August 2013 and then again in February 2014.
DU’s assertion to make Dr. Aggarwal hold the post despite being unsuitable for it, connotes that the university wants to exercise control over the college and encroach the autonomy of the college, stated Justice Rajiv Shakdher.

The college has also accused Dr. Aggarwal of misconduct and had bought many instances under the notice of university via letter and representations, but all went in vain. She is accused of not having the college accounts audited which led to University Grants Commission stopping the second installment of the grant to the college. She has also faulted in paying many hostel bills and salaries. She has flouted rules and transferred Rs. 4 crore, in the months of September and October, from student’s fee fund to pay teacher’s salary for two months.

Thus, after listening to both the parties, Justice Shakdher settled the dispute, asking the college to appoint a new principal, replacing the Dr. Aggarwal.

Keep Reading
By