NSUI calls off hunger strike led by Delhi University students following an agreement with the university for student representation, the extension of PG seats, and a response regarding the specific X post warning against student demonstrations.
Five students from the University of Delhi affiliated with the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) finally called off their hunger strike on Thursday following a written assurance from the university administration regarding several of their demands. The protest was led by DUSU Vice President Rahul Jhansla. The 11-day-long “DU Satyagraha” protest and nine-day hunger strike have been called off after receiving a letter signed by the university’s Proctor and handed to them by the DU South Campus director Rajni Abbi and a confirmed response to the social media post made from the official university account during the recent Jantar Mantar protest, urging students to refrain from joining the movement.
“The Delhi University administration has fulfilled all our demands in writing and has also given a verbal assurance, on camera and in the presence of the students, to provide a prompt response regarding the specific ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) post in question”, Rahul Jhansla added.
The five NSUI members who observed the hunger strike were Siddhant Tiwari, Kuldeep Gujjar, Sagar Choudhary, Deepak Choudhary and Parth Rao. They ended their indefinite hunger strike in the presence of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Devender Yadav, NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar and South Campus director Prof Rajni Abbi.
“Since his historic victory in the DUSU elections a year ago, Rahul Jhansla has consistently raised his voice against the university administration’s policies. By leading this ‘Satyagraha’, he has compelled the administration to accept the students’ demands,”
said Devender Yadav in praise of the DUSU vice-president, Rahul Yadav Jhansla, for leading the agitation.
The letter dated 4th August states that the process for student representation in the Academic Council will be completed within three months of the conclusion of the 2026 Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections. Further, the university also assured the increase in the number of seats in one-year postgraduate programmes in accordance with the students’ demands.
“The seat allocation, earlier 1,100 for PG courses, has been increased to more than double. One-year PG courses in five programmes have also been started in the School of Open Learning (SOL) from the academic session 2026-27,” quotes the letter. Additionally, the students have been assured of a discussion regarding the remaining demands with the university administration in due course.
Addressing the gathering, Vinod Jakhar said:
“This is a victory of the courage, determination and unity of Delhi University students. Our five colleagues remained on hunger strike for nine days and forced the administration to listen to the students’ voices. This victory belongs to every student who stood firm for their rights.”
“It is unfortunate that students had to put their health at risk and sit on a hunger strike for nine days before the university administration acted on their concerns. Students should never have to go to such lengths for their legitimate demands. We have asked our colleagues to end their hunger strike following the written assurance, but our struggle will not end with an assurance letter. The university will have to fulfil and implement every commitment it has made to the students,” he added further.
DUSU Vice President Rahul Jhansla has said that the administration had accepted the students’ demands in writing and had also given an on-camera verbal assurance regarding another issue raised by the protesters. He said the agitation had demonstrated the strength of collective student action and vowed to continue raising issues concerning students and “institutional freedom and liberty of choice”. In a statement, NSUI mentioned that they will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the assurances of the university and will stand with the students until all the accepted demands are fulfilled.
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Image Source: The Tribune
Chandrani Mondal
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