ABVP Delhi’s announcement of a “Chalo DU March: For Women’s Safety” from Miranda House to the Faculty of Arts on September 28 has drawn online criticism, with students questioning its participation in a protest presented by organisers as student-led and non-political.
ABVP Delhi’s poster stated that “ABVP and DUSU stand firmly” in support of the call for women’s safety and announced a march from Miranda House to the Faculty of Arts at 3 pm. The announcement came amid student protests across Delhi University following the rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park.
The Miranda House-led “Hum Auratein Azaad Hain” march was independently organised by students and clearly described as having no political affiliation. The September 28 march was open to women and queer participants and raised demands including improved street lighting, better public transport and safer access to public spaces.
The organisers also circulated a statement objecting to ABVP’s involvement. Social media users responding to ABVP’s announcement similarly questioned the organisation’s participation, pointing out that the march was student-led and urged ABVP not to associate itself with the protest.
The criticism extended to DUSU Secretary Riya Chhawdi, who said she would participate in the protest. In a statement shared online, Chhawdi said she was joining “not because of any political agenda” and not on behalf of a political organisation. She described herself as a woman and the elected female representative of DU, and said women’s safety should not be reduced to a political label.
Chhawdi also urged students to put political differences aside and participate for the issue of women’s safety. Her statement came as DUSU publicly supported the cause. Recent reports have documented separate ABVP demonstrations calling for stronger security measures for women.
The development has highlighted a distinction between the organisers’ stated non-political position and the participation announced by political student organisations. The discussion has since moved online, with students debating whether such involvement could affect how the protest is perceived.
Aarushi Chaubey
chaarushi2001@gmail.com
Image source: ABVP Delhi
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