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News Shows and their Politics of Language

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While the TV news in India frequently fails in providing relevant information to the citizens and rather becomes an arena for incessant shouting, it also operates in subtler ways. The mere language of headlines, hashtags and names of shows should raise eyebrows.

American linguist and philosopher, Noam Chomsky, theorised the ‘propaganda model’ of the mass media in his book Manufacturing Consent, wherein he talked about five filters of the media: ownership, advertising, sources, flak, and creation of a common enemy. In a nutshell, media institutions are part of big conglomerates who sell their products to advertisers, and whose sources of information are also the elites; those who oppose these elite interests face flak from the system, while a common ideological enemy is created to spread propaganda.

Yet, it doesn’t take a renowned philosopher to observe elements of this model operating on a daily basis; most Indian news shows seem to be following it to near perfection in some or the other way.

Those dramatic headlines coupled with theatrical music and imagery need to only be slightly observed to understand the suggestive undertones of the programmes. Not only biases, but provocation can also be seen. Sentimental and emotive elements are consciously used to shape narratives and capture viewers. News edges closer to the genre of entertainment. Apart from the more conspicuous displays of these elements as seen in the debates and the role of star-anchors, much subtler mechanisms also seem to be at play – headlines, hashtags, and even the names of the shows are culpable.

The most visible examples of this can be seen during critical situations. Since Thursday, following the Pulwama attack, news channels focused almost exclusively on the incident – and rightly so. Yet, the gravity of the situation was used by the channels to draw in audiences with their theatrics. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with drawing audiences, because that’s what news channels literally run on, but the problem arises when the techniques used for this purpose pose harms.

For instance, consider the headlines during the 9 P.M. Broadcast of Aaj Tak on Thursday – “Ye hamla nahi, jang ka ailaan hai” (It’s not an attack, it’s a proclamation of war), “Surgical strike nahi, seedha prahaar hi raasta?” (Not surgical strike, but a direct attack is the solution?). During situations like these, when emotions of the public run high and a sense of frustration surrounds the masses, the responsibility of providing a calm and measured coverage of the news lies with the media to an even greater extent, especially on widely-watched channels like Aaj Tak. Of course, a sense of anger was present in the public. But by using provocative headlines – those that hint towards a call for war – these news shows not only fuel the fire but also send out a wrong message. Similar headlines were seen in Friday’s ‘DNA’ show on Zee News.

News shows often use problematic headlines and tickers.
News shows often use problematic headlines and tickers. Image Credits: YouTube

Be it ex-servicemen, defence experts, or even many common people, there exists a recognition that war isn’t a joke. Yet it makes for good TV, doesn’t it? The severity of a war, the appeal for revenge, the impending danger – all of it draws the audience. Instead of responsibly analysing the situation and, in fact, making an appeal to the viewers to maintain calm and let the concerned authorities take the necessary steps, such programming tries to capitalise on the emotion to attract audiences by stoking the fire. Drawing in viewers also means pulling in more advertisers. That’s just one example of how the filters operate. Yet, these instances aren’t limited to the coverage of emergency situations.

In fact, the mere usage of hashtags in everyday programming points to a bigger picture. Hashtags trend on Twitter, giving news channels an idea of what type of news pieces would sell. Further, this would allow them to focus more strongly on populist topics, which can potentially sideline some crucial but less market-friendly issues. The style and substance of the news shows is also reflected in the popularity of these hashtags; if a particular style of news attracts more tweets, channels will have greater incentive to keep going with that style.

Furthermore, the language of hashtags is also important. A simple YouTube search entry of “Republic TV debate” presents a multitude of clips of Arnab Goswami’s primetime debate show. Every video thumbnail has a hashtag in it. ‘#RahulFakeNews’, ‘#RepublicBharatVsAMU’, ‘#CongAttacksHindus’, ‘#RahulLieCaught’, ‘#UnstableAlliance’, ‘#ModiVsWho’ – these are just some of the many hashtags that invite questions. The hashtags aren’t only reflective of a singular narrative but also give an idea on the type of tweets they’ll invite. Obviously, it won’t be in the show’s interest to display tweets that go against the narrative it wants to portray. Thus, very selective tweets are displayed, giving an impression to the viewers that what they’re watching is correct and supported by the public opinion as well.

The use of hashtags in debate shows also invites questions. Image Credits: YouTube
The use of hashtags in debate shows also invites questions. Image Credits: YouTube

Sensational issues are picked by many channels. CNN-News18’s weekly 10 P.M. show- ‘The Right Stand’ regularly focuses almost exclusively on issues having a religious angle.

Even the names of these shows should be inspected. Halla Bol, Takkar, and Dangal are also, in fact, names of action movies, almost as if the shows are meant to be a platform for speakers to brawl over issues; ‘Bhai vs Bhai’ and ‘The Great Debate Show’ seem to have an entertainment element inherently attached to them; ‘Arnab Goswami on the Debate @ 9’ puts more emphasis on the anchor than the news.

Obviously, it’s not possible to deconstruct and analyse every debate in a single piece and even these examples are selective. There are innumerable debates that may be deconstructed and analysed, but the aforementioned selective examples are reflective of a larger trend. A look at the substance of these debates glaringly points towards the problems in the media. But the point is- even inconspicuous elements like hashtags and headlines are at play. So, what does the language of news shows tell us? Bias, sensationalism, and irresponsibility, for a start.

Yet, it doesn’t mean that all’s bad. Even these shows sometimes pick real issues and do a good job covering and analysing them. Like the Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express, Raj Kamal Jha said, “Good journalism is, in fact, growing; it’s just that bad journalism makes a lot more noise.”

Feature Image Credits: Newslaundry

 

Prateek Pankaj

[email protected]

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DUB Speak

Lack of Psychology courses in DU: A Blot on University’s Academics

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Despite being an important subject, the lack of Honors courses available in Psychology, Delhi University proves that psychology is still not accepted and recognized as a worthy bachelor’s degree.

Psychology as a subject has the power to help you grow as an individual and also help others grow. It is filled with concepts on human beings, stories and examples we can relate to and also interesting topics about which we can talk to with our friends. But what is unfortunate that only eleven colleges in the prestigious University of Delhi offer B.A. (Honors) Psychology as a course and three offer B.A. (Honors) in Applied Psychology.

This restricts the opportunities for students to pursue this subject. The cut offs go very high for the few good colleges offering this course. While, for a male student, this situation is even worse since majority of the colleges offering Psychology are only open to girls, so they have to either compromise on the course or despite having a good score, study in private institutes. According to a source who requested to be anonymous, he scored a 96.75 but still couldn’t get Psychology in Delhi University and is pursuing B.Sc. (Honors) Psychology from Christ University, Bangalore.

Apart from this, most of the colleges are unable to offer Psychology as a General Elective, and when they do, due to the lack of faculty, many times the classes get cancelled. In Lady Shri Ram College, girls who took Psychology as an Elective for the first semester reported that the it was extremely disappointing. A student quoted “We were allotted a teacher somewhere in last August and even this semester we have gotten a guest lecturer who taught from Wikipedia, it was pretty basic and did not feel like a Psychology class.” In Gargi College, Psychology is not offered as a General Elective despite having a department for Applied Psychology.

By lack of Facilities in Delhi University for this essential subject, the University is proving the general discourse prevalent in the society regarding Humanities courses that- “they are courses specifically for girls.” The larger, older and renowned colleges like Miranda House, Hansraj, Hindu and Sri Venkateswara do not offer Psychology at all. It is high time that this course is given the importance and attention that it deserves and the University introduces it in the other colleges as well.

Feature Image credits: The Indian Express

Shivani Dadhwal

[email protected]

Sakshi Arora

[email protected]

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Campus Central

PWD Students in Delhi University: a Story of Efforts and Challenges

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The University of Delhi takes pride in being an inclusive space, providing higher education to people from different backgrounds. Yet, some of these people don’t get what they need and deserve.

On 23rd January, 2019 at ‘The Dialog’, an annual panel discussion organized by the Leadership Cell, St Stephen’s College, Shorya Sood, a wheelchair-bound M.A. Political Science student from Hindu College raised a question regarding lack of infrastructure for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) students in Delhi University. This stunned the panel, who were unable to answer Shorya’s question.

A closer look at the depth of this complex issue reveals the disappointing truth of problems faced daily by PWD students. The lack of ramps, tactile paths, Braille books section in libraries, cause inconvenience to these students.

While talking about these problems, Shorya told DU Beat about his attempts to bring attention to these issues. He told us how the Vice Chancellor of the University never responded to his mails regarding this issue. He also threw light on the lack of ramps in South Campus.

He has been talking about these issues on Facebook and writing blogs bringing them to the notice of others, creating some level of increased awareness.

In fact, even before sitting down for the talk, DU Beat witnessed an instance of these accessibility issues in real time. Due to the absence of ramps near the C-Tree area of Hindu College, Shorya’s wheelchair had to be lifted to help him enter.

The accessibility issues are ever apparent in South Campus as well. Even though Lady Shri Ram College for Women is equipped with ramps and proper infrastructure, PWD students face a plethora of problems in its Hostel facility.

Anusha, a 2nd year student from B.A (Hons) Psychology commented that there were only two PWD bathrooms on each floor in the entire hostel and often girls who could use common washrooms, used their washroom instead, which made them suffer. She also shared that since there was no light in those bathroom, they generally had to bathe using phone torchlights whereas the administration was doing nothing to construct more washrooms.

The students from different colleges are working full time to ensure equality to all the students in the colleges. REACH, the Equal Opportunity Cell of LSR is working to create inclusive space and accessible infrastructure for PWD students. Safia Aslam, a 3rd Year student from B.A. (Hons) English and Coordinator for REACH told DU Beat that “We demand to make Hostel accessible by placing Braille boards or QR code system, tactile path lift or chairlift, more washrooms and seats in hostel for all PWD students for those living in Delhi NCR, who have to travel for far too long to attend just a few classes.”

Similarly, Students’ Federation of India (SFI) Hindu College Unit sent a letter to the Principal of the college on 5th February, 2019 requesting construction of ramps and lifts in various areas. Neelanjita, a 1st Year student from B.A (Hons) Political Science and President, SFI Hindu College Unit, commented, “Principal said that the ramps will be constructed in one and half months, but lift needs 20 lakh rupees, so she did not assure that”.

However, on this, Shorya said that lack of funds wasn’t a reasonable excuse, especially when colleges spent extravagantly on fests and other purposes. He also told us how the University Grants Commission (UGC) provided funds for such purposes. “Where there is a will, there is a way”, he said.

Miranda House, Daulat Ram College and Hansraj College have made commendable efforts towards creating a more inclusive space. As reported in an earlier report these colleges are differently-abled friendly in their own ways. These are examples for other college to create a more inclusive space so that the presence of PWD students in college becomes more than just a proof of diversity.

The simple point remains that when every student is legally entitled to an education, irrespective of their physical abilities, then universities have the responsibility of creating the necessary atmosphere to affect the fruition of this right.

A thought-provoking point that Shorya made was how people’s sympathies often came out in highly patronising tones. “They sometimes think that we’re like God, saying things like ‘Aap to hamare liye bhagwan hain. Humne punya kama liya’ (You’re like a God to us. We’ve been blessed by serving you). Equality is missing in the discourse.” He tells us how he’d much rather prefer to be treated like any other individual. “Even my friends acted cautiously while joking around me. They treated me like a child.”

The need for increasing awareness and making people familiar with such issues still remains highly important.

Featured Image credits- Letter: SFI, Hindu College
Featured Image Cation- Letter: SFI, Hindu College Unit sent a letter to the Principal of their college requesting construction of ramps and lifts.

Sakshi Arora
[email protected]
Prateek Pankaj
[email protected]

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Your Beat

The Dilemma: Is it the Right Age?

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“It is the right time now.” “There’s a right age for everything.” How often have we heard these lines? But does it really matter?

With the last semester having begun for several students of the University of Delhi, now comes the phase of thinking and exploring the options ahead with a little bit of worrying. Some may plan to go for their masters, others may look for jobs, or pursue their interests. Be it travel, read, or just relax. Some might be in a hurry to get their careers on track, so that they do it on the ‘right time’. But what is this ‘right time’ that we and our parents too run for?

The right time to start college, the right time to start a job, the right time to settle down, the right time to marry, to have kids – is there really a defined marker for this?

I know plenty of peers who want to go in for a different subject study after their graduation but are hesitant to do so. This is because they feel it is not the right time to start a bachelor’s degree again. Some are skeptical to take the step for their hobbies and passion. Others feel it is too late to start learning the drums he always wanted because it’s the time to look for a job. Who put this timeline over our heads, I’d like to ask?
It’s the fear of lagging behind our peers, that has been inculcated and imbibed in us by the society that comes to hinder
our path of pursuing things we like. The fear of missing out (FOMO), the closest millennial term that would describe it. When 3:30 p.m. in Canada right, it’s 1 a.m. in India. All of us are treading our lives according to our own timelines. It doesn’t mean that one is ahead of other. It’s just that things happen when they are supposed to.

However cliché it may sound, but age is just a number. Some start college at 21, some start working at 15. There is no comparison there. The only thing that matters is that you check off the boxes on your bucket list. The right time or the perfect moment is when you decide to make it. Sometimes, it might not be as soon as you wanted, or may come earlier than you expected it to. All this depends on you and your efforts. So, do things when you want them to; start a new hobby, start a new course, travel the country, take up the job you wished for, start interning under the mentor you look up to. Begin when you feel is correct. Keep cutting cakes every year and enjoy your ‘right age’ decided by you.

Feature Image Credits: Prachi Mehra

Gurleen Kaur
[email protected]

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Campus Central

Gun Pulled Out at CVS Campus in Broad Daylight

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A gun was allegedly pulled out during an altercation between some students at the College of Vocational Studies on Monday, 28th January 2019.

Sources at the College of Vocational Studies (CVS) informed DU Beat of an altercation that allegedly broke out in the college on 28th January around 1:30 p.m., leading to a ‘fully loaded’ gun being pulled out. The police had to be called to control the situation.

DU Beat learnt that the incident broke out in the college playground and two third-year students are said to be involved. One of them pulled out a black revolver and pointed it to the Central Councillor of the college union. The account was corroborated by another source in the college who told us that the altercation happened over issues related to the college elections.The source also said that many students and staff were witness to the whole incident. The police was called and a complaint was filed against the two students by the union member and a student.The source however told us that “no action” has been taken by the police.

 

“Sorry, leave it.I don’t want to discuss anything on this topic,” the Central Councillor said, on whom the gun was pointed. According to him, it would lead to ‘demarketing of the college’. A different source, also a student at the college, however, denied the incident. “Ladai hui thi ek…normal si” (it was a normal fight), we were told. When asked about whether a gun was pulled out and police was called, the source contested it, saying that it was just a rumour.

 

The incident raises questions about the security arrangements at the college and possible lack thereof. We talked to another student at the college, who wished to remain anonymous on this issue. The student, studying under the non-collegiate system, told us that while three to four security personnel, including a lady guard sit at the entry gate, the ID cards are rarely checked. “Humare friends mai se to kisi ki nahi hoti ab. Rarely poochh lete hain”.“(Security) checking starting me hoti thi, ab nahi.” (checking used to take place initially, now it doesn’t), the student tells us.

 

Feature Image credits – DU Beat

 

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Campus Central

Harassment and Lack of Security During Fest Season: An Ongoing Issue

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Numerous victims wrote to us their incidents of harassment and molestation during fests.

The fest season has kicked off with the annual cultural fest of Gargi College, Reverie which took place from 30th January to 1st February 2019. Despite having a number of competitions, some of the best societies coming to participate, and a glorious celebrity line-up with The Local Train, DJ Zaeden and Prateek Kuhad, the fest failed on a basic ground level service of providing a safe environment.

Girls were catcalled, groped and grinded left, right and centre during not just Prateek Kuhad’s concert but during EDM night too. Samra Shahzad, a first-year student of  Gargi College reported to DU Beat that a guy stared at her when she was dancing and came up to her saying she dances well, the look on his face was suggestive and horrifying, it certainly wasn’t a compliment. Several guys then, forced her to give them her contact number and became quite aggressive when she refused which made her feel extremely unsafe during her own college fest. Her friend pushed, scolded, and glared at numberless guys who were trying to get questionably close to her while she was dancing. DU Beat members faced aggressive masculine misbehaviour first-hand. Our photographers caught some boys pushing girls near barricades on EDM night.

Not only boys, but girls were also seen misbehaving and physically harassing other girls. An anonymous source commented, “I kept count. 4 groped me, and 7 touched me inappropriately. They were like- relax, that’s the fun about swinging it both ways.” There were no volunteers,  administration or union members in the crowd to report such incidents to. The crowd outside the barricades was left unattended, at the hands of minimal security.

Security at fests is one of the most important duties of the organisers. While the entry was supposed to be closed at 5:00 pm, students reported that many people entered the college even till 6:30 pm. Even though only students of the University of Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, and Delhi Technological University were allowed, but students from other universities entered without proper checking at the gates.  A student reported that a boy asked her if she knew someone in the student union to get back ‘some of’ his confiscated weed. The fest on-lookers also saw empty liquor bottles lying around the campus.

When girls at Gargi College personally messaged their own stories of harassment to the  Student Council, the President responded by saying, “It is very unfortunate how the line of incidents went down even when we tried to make sure security is handled. We tried to manage our best but there were so much nuisance and many ill elements present in the field. In terms of checking, we shall make sure right people are caught hold of who didn’t do their work properly.” She also thanked girls who came up to tell their stories.

The irony is that the theme of Reverie was “A Brave New World: An Ode to Diversity” which worked on the principles of 3C’s, Consent, Choice and Conservation. Celebration of such empowering themes now stands ironically juxtaposed.

Students on the condition of anonymity have come forward with their stories of groping and harassment from previous year fests like Crossroads (Shri Ram College of Commerce), Tempest (Miranda House), and others.

However, the Reverie incident was only the recent episode of ongoing experiences of harassments in the college fests. On the assurance of anonymity, a final-year student of Miranda House accounts, “These incidents are so common in fests that over the years, you get used to them. There is almost never anyone to make complaints.” She goes on to add, “The fest organising team has to understand this as a major issue. Unless the weeding out of such acts is as much a priority as the fest itself, things will not get better.” Security and gate-checking should be one of the prerogatives of the teams to ensure a good time by all and for all.

 

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Life at Delhi University

Debating Tournaments: An Account of a Debater

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When debating is an enriching and fun activity, how do debating tournaments turn out to be strenuous and tardy?

One of the first things you learn after joining the debating circuit in the University of Delhi is how every tournament might be different, but they all have that one thing in common, they all run late. The schedules will always ask you to come at 8:30 or 9 am, and as a novice debater, you will go to the respective college on time. You will reach on time i.e. 30 minutes before schedule, only to find the college empty or with other naïve fresher debaters as yourself. Despite Whatsapp messages from the Organising Committee a night before the tournament, requesting you to be on time, the affair will, certainly, not start before 11 am.

Apart from the delays, what comprises a debating tournament are the jitters you get as you come with your entire college contingent, waiting for the roll call to end, seeing other teams, recognising people – mostly the ones you lost against at the previous tournament and for the motions to come out.

As the round begins, you see people immediately fall into their teams, the serious whispers, arguments being constructed, people rushing towards their rooms. The tension in the room is self-evident. What is stressful about Parliamentary Debating is how you do not get to prepare a speech and do not know what the other side will bring to the table.

It is just you using the 20 minutes of preparation using all the training you have received in mocks, the news you were grilled to read up on by your seniors, the techniques you learned while missing classes; all these things culminate to determine whether you win or not. And this goes on till the five rounds come to an end.

Debates get more intense in senior tournaments, against people who are third years or, sometimes, Law students who are much older than you. Their age and experience are unfair assets they hold against you, which can often lead to them not taking you seriously. Post breaks. the pressure is quadrupled, because a single unrebutted argument or poor analysis does not mean you can go on to the next round but you are out of the tournament itself.

Five rounds usually spread over two days might sound like a comfortable schedule. However, the small delays gradually add up to massive interludes not allowing participants to leave before 8 pm. With some tournaments even ending around midnight, security is a major concern, given that there are no provisions for transportation.

Furthermore, it is rare that colleges provide accommodation only with higher registration fees. As it gets late, the college is closed and so you can find the last round being wrapped up in the college grounds or near the gates.  

Being from a girls’ college, safety is an even bigger issue. It being a new experience, in the beginning, parents worry incessantly with frequent calls, texts, scolding and requests to reconsider this activity. Some even come to pick their children up on late nights. Gradually they become well-acquainted with this pattern and you begin to hear about how you do not go to ‘college’ but to ‘debating society’.

You will come home to see stories of your friends out on weekends while you went to debate. And despite the stress, anxiety, mental and physical exhaustion and feelings of self-doubt you will be willing to compromise on your social life next weekend as well, and the reason is very simple. The feeling of learning, knowing, being smarter than the smartest and the thrill you experience is indomitable.

 

Featured Image Credits– DU Beat

Shivani Dadhwal
[email protected]

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Campus Central

Minutes of DUTA Executive Meeting, January 2019

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The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) held an Executive Meeting on Saturday, 12th January 2019.

The resolution for the same is a comprehensive account of the crisis being confronted by the teachers of the University in lieu of the Central Government’s withdrawal of government funding from public-funded universities. This was termed as a “highly misguided policy” and “commercialisation of higher education”. This has led to a delay in the announcement of revised allowances and pensions of teachers. The exploitative conditions in terms of long working hours and lack of job security and employment benefits for ad hoc teachers have also contributed to the rage and unrest among teachers.

In addition, DUTA has also directed rage and disappointment against the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Delhi, and condemned him for his inaction and lethargy in carrying out timely appointment procedures for teachers. They expressed strong criticism towards the VC for capitulating to the Government’s agenda by not even allowing the tabling of the report of the sub-committee set up to facilitate the adoption of the UGC Regulations 2018. Owing to the same, several young ad hoc teachers had declared a hunger strike in effect from 4th January 2019, which has now continued for nine days in the blistering cold.

In the resolution dated 12th January 2018, the DUTA has declared solidarity with the teachers on hunger strike, and has demanded that the Government bring in a one-time Regulation for the absorption of temporary and ad hoc teachers. They have proposed a one day strike and dharna at Gate No.1, DU to highlight their demands for the re-convening of the adjourned meeting of the Academic Council. They have also announced an immediate action programme of One Day Strike along with a Long March to MHRD on 17th January 2019.

Emphasising that these consequences emanating from a reduction in Government funding will soon affect the students as well, and has called for support by all sections of the university community, including and especially students.

Feature Image Credits: The Indian Express

Nikita Bhatia

[email protected]

 

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Sex Amma

Sex Amma: Sex During Periods?

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‘‘Can I have sex during periods?” is a million-dollar question which young and curious munchkins wonder and write to Amma about! Fret not, Amma is here to answer it.
Period sex can be a bit messy and can make people self-conscious, but it is safe. Just because you’re on your period, doesn’t mean that you have to forego the sweet, sweet pleasures of having consensual sex. Arousal is different for
every woman. However, some idlis might actually love having sex and be more sexually aroused during menstruation. Adding in a little benefit, the period flow can prove to be a natural lubricant during sex.
To all the macchis out there, do not assume that your partner might be grossed out by your period. Be open and honest with your partner. If there are hesitations, talk about the reasons behind the discomfort. My beautiful
coconut, don’t you worry; period sex is nothing to be scared of!

Period sex can help with menstrual cramps. How, you might ask. Orgasms! Orgasms trigger the release of chemicals
called endorphins – feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine. Who knows, this might be the masala you had been dying to add to your sambhar!
My dearest dosa, using protection during sex is always a good idea, no matter what part of your menstrual cycle you’re in. It’s possible for a woman to get pregnant during her period. Don’t give in to the myth of periods acting as birth control. Unprotected sex can lead to pregnancy no matter when you have it.
Another worry about having sex during your period is the risk of spreading a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) like HIV or hepatitis. These viruses live in blood, and they can spread through contact with infected menstrual blood.
Using condoms every time you have sex can reduce your risk of spreading or catching an STI.
With all this information in your little nugget head, heat up things in the bedroom to get your chutneys flowing
and enjoy. Don’t forget to tell Amma about your experience of having satisfying period sex!
Sex Amma
[email protected]
(Write to sex amma at [email protected] to get all your queries about sex answered.)

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News

The ‘De-facing’ Politics and the ‘defacing’ of Civic Property

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The University Political realm has witnessed rampant venturing of the Legislature in this Academic Session, for reasons closely associated to the ‘marvellous’ acts undertaken by our ‘leaders’.

It’s funny, how during the election season various political manifestos perfume themselves with special French fragrances and attract the multitude, and how, eventually, the entire setup reeks of instances fraught with vices like vandalism, manhandling (I refer to those of the civic property and not the ‘less-important’ instaces like those of the sexual sort), and obviously, ‘poster-painting’ of the Campus walls, sponsored by the candidates themselves. How benevolent of them? What is even more hilarious, is that we are forced to look into the blank ‘imaginary space’, like it happens in films, and are shown fanciful pictures of a bright and ‘clean’ future. Well obviously, the Bus Passes have to be accompanied by vandalising the buses themselves.

In a somewhat-strong move by the Honbl. High Court of Delhi, a legal notice has been issued to the DUSU Chief, former leaders of the DUSU for allegedly defacing Civic Property during the University Polls.

It is a common experience of the University students to find the roads outside their colleges otherwise made out of asphalt, turned white. Snow, you say? You wish! Try something on the lines of bits of paper and petals of marigold, coupled and dashed in various proportions, ‘to obtain the perfect mixture’. Flyway side-walls, Metro Pillars are all ‘stamped’ with names of the candidates for a ‘lasting impression’. Damn, it does work, you know!

In this connection, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday legally sought responses from 15 Delhi University students, including brand names like the current Student Union President Shakti Singh, Secretary Akash Choudhary, allegedly claiming that the men were responsible for civic defacement.

A total of 23 notices were also issued by a bench comprising of Honbl. Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Honbl. Justice V Kameshwar Rao, to the candidates of the 2017 edition of the DUSU Elections, after taking cognizance of the status reports which reflected defacement of civic infrastructure in-spite of regulations made to counter the same.

The order came into being while a court hearing of a plea by Prashant Manchanda, who advocated cancellation of DUSU Elections, the basis of which he claims is the extensive vandalism. Three status reports have been submitted into the Court, which claim outright flouting of the Bombay Defacement Act.

Meanwhile, the representatives appearing from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), claim that no restoration and beautification activities have been undertaken by the 23 candidates, including the former DUSU President Rocky Tuseed.

The Court thus issued a show cause notice to all the students, asking them to disclose the causes owing to which the orders of the court have not been fulfilled. The Court also came down on the Local Police and the Municipal Authorities for their negligence in preventing the defacement.

The next ‘taareekh’ on the case has been fixed on March 18, 2019.

 

With inputs from external sources.

Feature Image Credits: DNA India

Aashish Jain

 

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