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

Ankita Baidya

Browsing
Top Picks

The Third Act: Convenor Denies the Allegations of the Senior Members

By

The third-year students of The Third Act had claimed to have faced abuse by the convenor. However, the convenor denies the allegations and claims their disorderly behaviour was the reason for their suspension.

The recent events that took place in the dramatics society of Satyawati College spurred a row of accusations. In a conversation with the convenor, the professor informed that the college has not done anything. The third-year students have made a huge issue, which was not supposed to be, and due to the ruckus they created, they had to be suspended from the society.

The professor went on to inform us that the letter that was sent to the students, talked about the indiscipline that they created. He explained that due to the news that went up one-sided, the college has asked the students for clarification on the irregularities that have occurred in the dramatics society. The college has asked both the students and the convenor to respond to the same.

The chats that have taken place between the students, as claimed by the professor, has addressed the professor in a disrespectful manner by using only his first name. The professor also asserted that nobody has done anything with them. Just a disciplinary action has been taken against the third-years.

The students have claimed that they have been tortured and what not but nothing of that sort ever happened. Rather, there are chats where they have been completely disrespectful towards the teacher (me). 

-Convenor, The Third Act

Further, the professor has informed us that The Third Act page on Instagram is being run by a pass-out student, Nikhil Pandey. The admin was changed a few days ago after the fiasco erupted. Moreover, according to the professor, the letter-head that the students are using is not the correct one. The name ‘The Third Act’ is also not verified by the council yet, though the name was given by the convenor and a few other teachers in 2014-15. Before that, the name was ‘Sarang Natya Samiti.’ Back then, as claimed, the professors were new appointees and were not aware that the name must be verified by the council. Now the students are using a letter-head that is not verified by the college and it also consists of a contact of a student who is not even in the society.

The third-years are also claiming that they are being suspended from the college and they would be barred from sitting for the exams. However, as the convenor claimed, they have been suspended from the society only and nothing else.

According to the convenor, the cybercrime that the third years are claiming is not from the professor’s tenure. All of this came to light only after the students were suspended. When the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) came to the convenor, it was signed by the students. The professor explained to them then that whatever they are doing might result in criminal offences and in the future, they should not indulge in anything of this sort.

As claimed by the convenor, the students tried to physically assault a second-year student. The convenor was an eye-witness, along with other two teachers. After the incident, they lodged a formal complaint.

I decided to suspend the students, which is my constitutional right as the students went against the disciplinary rules. Also, this suspension does not jeopardize their career, they have been simply suspended from the society. 

-Convenor, The Third Act

The professor went on to explain about the Rs. 8000 that has been taken from the college. He said that if the amount belongs to the college, even if any crime has taken place, it must be returned to the college. It is a government fund and it needs to be returned, no matter what.

The professor also claimed that irregularities in the bills have been found. The society went on to get clearance for a bill in Bihar in the accounts section without the prior knowledge of the convenor. They also went on for a competition in Chandigarh without informing the teachers. Moreover, claims of bills of November 2022 have been manipulated and are being shown in 2023. The convenor also claimed that there was a bill of Rs.7385 (approx.) of Muzaffarpur which is apparently a fraud. The bill is of a shop that belongs to one of the students. According to him, the advance bill settlement application is dated 23 March 2023 and 24 March 2023 but the bill submitted by the students is also dated 23 March 2023, which made the authorities raise an eyebrow. He also said that the students had gotten money sanctioned for the costumes and since those costumes belong to the college, they are supposed to be in the college to which negligence was shown.

Given the situation that the students were going to go in five days and I thought of doing something that would not be harmful for the students so I defunct the entire society. I did not even bother about the bills and finances initially but when they start misbehaving, I asked for the bills and then the irregularities in finances were realized.

-Convenor, the Third Act

Moreover, according to him the students issued MOU with the president’s signature, that too a scanned copy which is wrong and is supposed to be signed only by higher authorities. All in all, he claimed that the irregularities in the funds of the society made by the students are being highlighted because of their own actions. The college called the senior members on 4 May 2023 for clarifications on the matter. However, according to the convenor, the students did not come. Professor informed us that the students would be sent another notice in regard to the same.

Read Also: The Third Act Seniors Accuse the Convenor, Students Deny the Allegations

Featured Image Credits: satyawati.du.ac.in

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

The Third Act Seniors Accuse the Convenor, Students Deny the Allegations

By

The third-year members of The Third Act have accused their society convenor of displaying atrocious behaviour. However, the other students of the college deny the allegations and claim the accusations to be false. Read ahead to find out more.

The third-year students of dramatics society of Satyawati College, The Third Act, have alleged that they have been facing an “atrocious behaviour” for the past couple of months. They have claimed that their convenor has been bullying them and the professor’s behaviour has gotten intolerable. The students have reported that they have been accused of financial frauds and have been threatened to be sent to jail. The students have further added that their convenor has asserted to shut the society as he wants everything to run according to him. Further, it has been claimed that a threat to fail the said students in their respective internals has been given by the convenor of the society. The students have reported that the reason behind the failure to organise their annual fest, “Pravaaz,” was because the convenor did not sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). He was not present during the proposed dates and denied to take any responsibility for it, and did not assign any other teacher in-charge. It has been asserted that the convenor has been verbally abusing the students and has threatened to send letters to the parents of the students due to the behaviour displayed by them. However, the latter has rejected such an assertion against them. The third-year students have informed that the convenor has not held any formal meeting and whenever the former went for the same, they were always asked to sit in the Staff Room Lawns where rather than discussing important matters, they wasted 4-5 hours listening to their convenor’s personal stories.

The students have alleged that any decision in the college must pass through the Principal and the AO. However, the students have been suspended from their society at their convenor’s discretion and the latter can run the society as he wishes to while taking the juniors along with him for the same.

The third-year students have lodged a formal complaint against their convenor with the principal. However, they have been dismissed. Further, on knowing about the complaint, the third-year students asserted that the convenor called for a meeting with the second-year students and pressurised the first-year students for the same. It is alleged that the convenor had asked the first-year students to take back their signatures and pin everything on the third-year students. Moreover, the third years have claimed that their convenor made the second-year students sit with the first-year students to keep a check if the latter were recording him threatening them. The third-year students have put out a post on their Instagram handle calling out the entire incident and asking for help.

We seek only one thing and that is the removal of Dr. Pandey as our convenor. We will take legal action if college authorities don’t help us. We have been suspended without any reason and he is threatening our Juniors that he will debar us from college. He has threatened us that he will send letters to our parents. He is blaming us for financial fraud as well.” -Third year Students of The Third Act in conversation with DU Beat

While talking to other students from the college, they revealed that the third-year students wanted to organise an unofficial farewell at a farm house and it was decided that every member would be contributing some amount for the same. However, the amount that the members raised was not enough to cover the entire expense so the third-year students decided to take the remaining amount out of the society fund without the knowledge of anyone. They roped in a second-year student and tried convincing them to take the amount out but the student went on to talk to their batchmates first where the latter rejected the proposed idea.

The society fund is for the betterment of the college, to purchase lights and equipment, not for wasting it on a single night partying. If one wants to celebrate and party then they should be doing it with their own money.” – Student of Satyawati College

According to the student, things started getting escalated from this point. The annual fest that was supposed to take place got cancelled by the principal. The reason for cancellation was that none of the MoUs were signed by either the principal or the convenor. It carried just the president’s signature. The third-year members of the society asserted that they were given only a week’s time to prepare for everything since on the initial date the convenor was not available and did not assign any other teacher in-charge. However, the fest finally got cancelled again and according to the students, though they were dismissed on the grounds of MoUs not being signed by the concerned authorities and the failure to conduct any formal meeting, the former was not aware about this entire procedure.

The students from Satyawati College also reported that when bills had to be cleared in the accounts department, it was revealed that they were from Muzaffarpur, Bihar reportedly and were amounting to up to Rs. 7000 for coats, shirts, and pants. However, the students informed us that they wore their own clothes and the bills attached were false.

According to the bill, the blazer was of Rs.3500, the shirt costed around Rs.2000, and all of the items amounted to Rs. 7000. There was another bill for the tent that amounted to Rs.15000. The students had attached false bills. When all of this was questioned, the third-year students went into frenzy.” – Student of Satyawati College

Further, reportedly, there is a third-year student in the society who has Rs. 8000 from the society fund with them. On asking for the amount back, the student informed that a cyber-crime has taken place with them and hence was able to return only Rs.600 out of the Rs.8000 they had.

According to the students of the college, the third-year students have changed the login details of their E-mail and Instagram handle. They have started posting things on their own and are now falsely accusing the convenor.

Read Also: DU’s Dramatics Societies: Politics in Plays

Featured Image Credits: @the_third_act

Ankita Baidya
[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Uncategorized

Childhood of Exams

By

There was indeed a time, when exams seemed to be as normal as any other school assignment. However, now is a time when exam equates to an existential crisis. What were those moments of childness of the exams? Read ahead to find out.

As a kid in class 4th, I was just concerned about my playtime. I waited the entire day for the clock to strike 6 in the evening so I could finally play with my friends in the park. And then exams used to happen. Amidst the vibrancy and liveliness of childhood, even something like exams was super fun. My mother would sit with me and make me learn my syllabus at that time. That was it. That is all I was required to do. The next day, I used to be the happiest kid as my test used to finish smoothly. On the day we were shown our test results, I knew that what my mom had taught me was more than enough, and there was nothing to be worried about, so I used to go to the teacher confidently, and boom! I was right. I had flawless marks on my test, and that happiest kid continued to remain in her ecstasy.

Bygone are the days which did not know how to spell stress and pressure, which did not know that her mom would stop sitting with her until she learned everything. I reminisce about those simpler times. Times filled with joy to give the exams, times that did not know anything about competition, and times which were as happy as they ever can be. 

As I grew up, exams became tough and something to be feared, and there was no turning back the clock. Remember that time we used to give tests out of maybe 25 or 40 and expected to score something between 23-25 and 38-40 respectively? The best part is that what we expected used to turn out true, but as we grew up, things turned to coincide with “bass pass hona hai” (we just have to pass). In our final years of schooling, we were concerned only about how to keep ourselves afloat rather than how to be the best. As a class 8th student, it was all so “cute”—scoring the perfect marks, spending time indulging in activities we loved, doing every last bit of what we wanted. These things continued but diminished over time, and there is no turning back.

I can not say that exams are all about stress and pressure now, but it surely is overpowering. Due to this, we are not able to see anything beyond it. There are students with horrendous sleep schedule, baggy eyes, and perhaps an everlasting migraine. From sitting with mom to complete the syllabus to getting no sleep through isolation in the dead of the darkness, the simpler times turned into a complex chain of events that we hope to get done with as soon as possible.

Alas! We can not go back to our childhood but can only cherish those fond memories. As we grow up, the notion of “independence” and “self-reliance” hits us hard. All we have to do now is to take cognizance of these notions and work towards them while enjoying those sweet little memories as they play in the back of our minds.

Read Also: Reminiscing Poetically “Romantic” Childhood

Adulting My Way Into L(if)e?

Featured Image Credits: verywellfamily.com

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By
Uncategorized

A Mid-Exam Night’s Dream: Recipes to Woo your Taste Buds

By

Exam season has led us to having an unprecedented amount of stress and worry. Amidst it, the only thing that can make us happy is food.

While cramming up the syllabus through the dead of the night, you are ought to feel hungry. So, here are a few recipes that may help you calm your 3 AM cravings.

  1. Roasted Paneer Sandwich

If you are hungry and have absolutely no time to order or cook something fancy, but want to eat something different, then this is the dish for you. First, slice up the Paneer. Then, put some butter on the pan, kept over a burner, and as it melts, put the slices on it. Roast them until it starts turning light to dark brown. Then, take two slices of bread. Toast them if you like or just heat them a little over the pan (as you prefer). If you have any mayo then apply a little on both the slices of bread or you can just apply a little butter. Place the paneer between the slices and voila! Your roasted paneer sandwich is ready. Enjoy it with a glass of milk or juice.

 

  1. Pizza

If you have left-over rotis, along with ketchup, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and of course cheese and oregano at your home then you can make a pizza within 15 minutes. Add 1tsp of onion paste and ½ tsp of garlic paste in 1 cup of ketchup and then add salt, pepper, and oregano as per your taste. Take the left-over roti and apply this sauce over it. Then, put the cheese over the sauce. Next, take a pan and grease it with butter thoroughly. Put the Roti on the pan and cover it with a lid. Don’t forget to cook it on medium flame. Now, wait for 10 minutes. After this, remove the roti. Put oregano and chili flakes as per your taste and enjoy your perfect mini pizza, made in less than 15 minutes. 

 

  1. Hot Chocolate 

Well traditionally you would require unsweetened cocoa and full cream milk but don’t worry if you don’t have these. You can still enjoy your drink. First, take out any milk chocolate like dairy milk (if you like dark chocolate, you can use that too) and put it in a small bowl. Next, melt it properly. Now, take a saucepan and warm up a cup of milk. Add the melted chocolate to it. After 2-3 minutes, remove the milk and enjoy your perfect cup of hot chocolate. 

 

  1. Cereals

If you are in rush and have absolutely no time to waste then this is the best option. Take a bowl of milk, hot or cold (as you prefer). Add any cereals like cornflakes or chocos. Add a spoon of sugar if you prefer it sweet and you are ready to pull an all-nighter with your perfect bowl of cereals.

 

  1. Mug cake

If you are craving for something sweet then this is the dish for you.  Take ¼ cup all-purpose flour (maida), ¼ cup sugar (add as per your taste), 2 tablespoons (you can add a little more as per your taste) of melted milk or dark chocolate, or any chocolate spread (any flavored spread that you prefer), pinch of baking soda (or Eno), pinch of salt, 3 tablespoons milk, 2 tablespoons of any refined vegetable oil, and 1 tablespoon water. Mix all these ingredients in a bowl, until there are no lumps (use whisker to mix) and pour them in a mug. Microwave it for about 1 minute and 45 seconds. Take it out and there you have your mug cake ready.

Read Also: Cook N Exam: An Answersheet to Hunger

Lockdown Recipes: A Cure to Your Quarantine Cravings

Featured Image Credits: Belinda Kou via dribble.com

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By
Uncategorized

Exploring The ‘Dilwalon Ki Dilli’

By

Congratulations! You are finally done with another exam season and hence it is time to celebrate it. From sitting in your chair all day long, it is time to become an explorer and wander through the streets of the National Capital. Read ahead to find out more.

Unfortunately, there are only three days of semester break, but rather than crying about it, let’s make the most of it. After a stressful and tiring exam season, it is time for you to treat yourself with the best. Delhi is best known for its street food, shopping streets, and rich history, and these three days are the best time to explore some of it. So here are a few places to blow off steam from the exam season. 

Jama Masjid

In all its archaic glory and heritage, Jama Masjid is one attraction that will bring solace to your soul, especially after the nightmare of exams. Visit the mosque anytime between sunrise to sunset, except from noon until 1.30 p.m. when prayers are held. However, the ideal time to go is early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. One can find the best light for photography at that hour. Plus, if you are a foodie then don’t forget to visit the iconic Karim’s, opposite Gate No. 1.

Chandni Chowk

If you’re planning to visit Jama Masjid, you have to visit Chandni Chowk. It is simply the dream destination for all shopaholics and foodies. From paranthas of Paranthe Wali Gali to the shopping street of Kinari Bazaar to the Books of Nai Sadak, one is ought to find everything in the old charm of Chandni Chowk. 

 

Indian Habitat Centre

If you are visiting the southern part of Delhi, make sure you have saved a few bucks because it can be expensive. Indian Habitat Centre A.K.A. IHC is one of the most comprehensive conventions Centre and home to the famous The Habitat hub (previously known as the All-American Diner). From delectable pancakes, bacon, and sandwiches to finger-licking croissants, crepes, and eggs, you will find an irresistible menu here. 

 

Lodi Garden

Capturing Delhi’s impressive architecture in a scenic landscape of natural beauty are the Lodi Gardens located 1.4 Km away from the IHC. With mausoleums of Mohammed Shah and Sikander Lodi, these gardens showcase Delhi’s rich history. Spread over 90 acres, you can spend your lazy afternoons, vibing to some music while lying on the soft green grass. 

 

Safdarjung’s Tomb

Located in the Delhi Race Club and 10 minutes away from the Lodi Garden, the Safdarjung tomb is a marble and sandstone mausoleum that was built for Nawab Safdarjung. With its evergreen architecture and calmness, it makes up for spending an afternoon or a soothing evening. Amidst its lush gardens, do take a mat and a book to enjoy that perfect hour of serenity. 

Khan Market

If you are visiting this part of Delhi then you must conclude your day with a visit to the Khan Market. Home to the famous Faqir Chand Bookstore and mouth-watering bakeries, don’t forget to have a scoop of salted caramel from Big Chill Creamery, because you deserve to treat yourself after the exam season. 

Connaught Place

Centered on a ring of colonnaded Georgian-style buildings, it is one of the most important business, commercial, and financial hubs of Delhi. It can be tricky to decide what one is supposed to do here but start your visit with the Museum of Illusions, located in Block A. Then go to the Oxford Bookstore, located in N Block, and while enjoying books, sip on a cup of tea from Cha Bar which is just beside it. Finally, if you want a scrumptious meal, then do visit the Big Chill and if you are a fan of rolls, do visit Nizam’s, located near N block. 

Janpath

If you are visiting Connaught Place, you can’t complete it without walking through the Janpath. From affordable clothing and jewelry to De Paul’s cold coffee and momos, it is one of the liveliest streets to shop and eat from in Delhi. While exploring the little shops of Janpath, do visit the bookstore located on the left side of the beginning of the street. 

Read Also: Places Personified: Hidden Heritage of DU

The Relevance of Central Delhi for DU Students

Featured Image Credits: Ankita Baidya for DU Beat

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Fan Falls on a Student in Laxmibai College

By

Amidst infrastructural issues present in various colleges, a fan fell from the ceiling over a student causing an injury on her head at Laxmibai College. Read to find out more.

 

On 22 April, 2022, a fan fell from the ceiling of Laxmibai College, University of Delhi, causing injury to the student sitting beneath it. The principal of the college, Pratyush Vatsala, informed that the student faced minor injuries and nothing serious or major. This accident caused the student a minor injury on her head. According to her, as soon as this accident took place, the student was given immediate first aid and her parents were immediately called to the college. Soon after, parents, along with some college officials took the student to hospital and as informed by the principal, she is doing fine. 

 

Reportedly, the exasperated students started questioning the college infrastructure after the accident. They also claimed that there is inadequate availability of drinking water and the washrooms are quite unhygienic. Further, the Principal added that the primary reason that caused the accident is unknown. She claimed that the maintenance committee of the college too did not find any faults in the functioning of the fan. According to her, both the teachers and the students who were present in the room during the accident did not hear any noise or faced any other disturbance from the fan. However, reportedly, she has asked the concerned authority to check all the fans in the college. 

 

This is not the only college under DU facing infrastructural issues. Kalindi College, DU, has major infrastructural problems. From poor desks and peeled walls to serious hygiene issues in regard to washrooms and drinking water, these colleges need immediate attention to improve their infrastructure. 

 

In Conversation with a student from Laxmibai College, informed DU Beat that the college has not yet disclosed the details or any updates in regard to the accident. All that the students are aware of is the fact that the students of the college are safe and there has not been any major accident. 

 

Besides this, both the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) have submitted a few maintenance issues present in the college. In response to this, reportedly, the college has asked for the details of these issues which would assist the former in order to solve them. 

 

Read Also: AISA Venky Holds a Signature Campaign for Infrastructural Issues

Colleges Struggle with Infrastructural Issues in the Face of Sudden Reopening

 

Featured Image Credits: Laxmibai College

 

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Where are you ICC: Looking at DU’s History of Sexual Harrasment

By
Where are you ICC: Looking at DU's History of Sexual Harrasment

TW: Sexual Harassment

A sexual harassment incident is something which can leave an individual scarred for their entire lives. The least that could be done is to identify the accused and bring justice. The ICC of DU works in the same regard. However, it is found to be missing whenever such horrific incidents see the broad daylight. Why is ICC dormant when they are needed the most? Read ahead to find out more.

Basking in the morning sun while discovering the Delhi Metro and the joy of stepping into the college corridors brings a feeling of accomplishment. A transition from school to college brings with it a million of sacred dreams that can’t wait to be unraveled and rejoice the world stage. Somewhere it becomes the duty of the institution to protect those dreams and let the innocence cherish the moment in hand. However, a question of safety and security is a product of oblivion of these dreams.

Living in a city like Delhi, people do fear about their safety and security, especially women. Yet, they sleep at nights dreaming about the endless things they can do and achieve. Their dreams are not hindered by the question of safety but as soon as the Sun comes out, it becomes too obvious to think about it before stepping ahead. Hence, university remains the only place to live those dreams carefree. However, what if even the university becomes the place putting a question mark on one’s safety and security. What if University becomes the place which we term as “unsafe”?

In the recent months, it has become too obvious that the university is not providing a safe space in this regard. From the incident of Ramjas Debating Society to the scars of the festival of Holi, University of Delhi (DU) has put its DUites under the question of safety and security? It is true that as a woman we have to think about an endless list of things before stepping out of our residence. However, college is surely not the place where a student has to worry about these things but here we are, wrapped up in our thoughts of if going to a certain place will be safe for us?

A question of safety will always be present at the back of our minds but if a mechanism comes into place which redresses our concerns in regards to harassment then a sense of security can blanket the students and teachers of the varsity. One such committee is the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) which addresses the grievances of students and teachers in regards to any form of sexual harassment. Now, the mechanism seems pleasing since the committee is present in most of the colleges and societies apart from a centralized committee of the varsity. The question arises when we take a look at its functioning.

When a Ramjas Debating society’s member was stripped off his credentials for alleged harassment or a student of DU had to face sexual harassment, where was the ICC at those times? Isn’t it the duty of ICC to keep the varsity a place free of harassment? Aren’t they responsible to spread awareness regarding the same? Where was it when such heinous crimes were unraveling themselves? There is an endless list of questions that need to be asked and answered for the scope of improvement of the safety and security of the campus.

In conversation with DU Beat, a member of ICC explained the functioning of the committee in DU. The member explained that the ICC expects the complainant to come forward or directly come to the office and give the committee a written complaint. Once the complaint reaches, it is taken up in a meeting. If the entire committee agrees on the authenticity of the complaint and if it falls under the jurisdiction of ICC then the complaint is taken forward. As this is the final step where the complainant can withdraw their complaint, ICC asks them if they want to pursue it or not. Once the ICC get their consensus, they are asked for 6 copies (as recommended by law) of the complaint. Then, as ICC is law bounded, they send the whole complaint to the respondent, without censoring anything, and give them a 10 days period to submit their clarification or response to the complaint. After this, both the parties are called in a manner where they don’t see each other and individual hearings take place. Then, ICC gives them a chance to call the witnesses which is followed by witness testimonies. At the end, the committee comes up with their findings and send them to both the parties involved. If nothing else comes up that could change the nature of the proceedings then the committee arrives at recommendations, and according to those, further actions are taken.

Since there are a lot of complaints at a given point of time and law has given us 90 days to resolve an issue, it generally takes 4-5 months to resolve a complaint.

-Member of ICC, DU

Upon asking about the reason behind the recent jump in harassment cases in the academic space, the member stated that it could be attributed to the pandemic where people did not understand the consequences of the things they do behind their laptops and mobiles. Further, the member claimed that the varsity has a persistent issue of gender sensitization. For the part of ICC, as the member claimed, it is taking more and more steps to make people sensitized about the gender, to make students aware about what is right and what is wrong.

The harassment cases haven’t increased exponentially but they have increased, particularly in the cyber space.

-Member of ICC, DU

Further the member added that there are certain guidelines issued by the ICC in regards to the recent trend of cases that are coming to the committee but it is difficult to enforce them at the grassroot level. Additionally, the member informed that the apex ICC has no jurisdiction over individual ICC of various colleges and hence cannot intervene in their matters. However, if the grievances of a student have not been resolved at the college level, they can directly write to the ICC of DU and then further steps can be taken in the case.

On asking about what if a particular ICC is not functioning properly, the member said, ”I can’t comment on it but you can ask the Proctor of the University. There are other mechanisms to address the issues related to the functioning of ICC of a college.”

When the question about how the ICC intends to improve its functioning was popped before the member, they responded by stating their wish to include more members. However, as they stated, the law has bounded ICC to include only 10 members.

As the member said that the ICC’s duty is to deal with the sexual harassment cases and the problem of gender sensitization only then, who is there to keep a check if the guidelines are followed or if a subordinate ICC is functioning properly? Just as the High Courts have a superintendence over all the subordinate courts, who is there to supervise the subordinate ICCs? What happens if a sexual harassment case is shut down for all the wrong reasons? Who is there to keep a check on the functioning of the redressal mechanism?

Read Also: The Story of the ICC

Featured Image Credits: newslaundry

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Features

Where are you ICC: Looking at DU’s history of sexual harassment

By

A sexual harassment incident can leave an individual scarred for their entire life. The least that could be done is to identify the accused and bring justice, something the ICC of DU works towards. However, it is often found missing when horrific incidents come forward. Why is the ICC dormant when it is most needed? Read for more.

Basking in the morning sun while discovering the Delhi Metro and the joy of stepping into the college corridors brings a feeling of accomplishment. A transition from school to college brings with it a million sacred dreams that can’t wait to be unraveled. Somewhere it becomes the duty of the institution to protect those dreams and let the innocence cherish the moment in hand. However, a question of safety and security is a product of oblivion of these dreams.

Living in a city like Delhi, people – especially women – do fear about their safety and security. Yet, they sleep at nights dreaming about the endless things they can do and achieve. Their dreams are not hindered by the question of safety but as soon as the Sun comes out, it becomes too obvious to think about it before stepping ahead. Hence, university remains the only place to live those dreams carefree. However, what if even the university becomes the place putting a question mark on one’s safety and security. What if University becomes the place which we term as “unsafe”?

In the recent months, it has become too obvious that the university is not providing a safe space in this regard. From the incident of the Ramjas Debating Society to the scars of the festival of Holi, University of Delhi (DU) has put its DUites under the question of safety and security. It is true that as a woman we have to think about an endless list of things before stepping out of our residence. However, college is surely not the place where a student has to worry about these things but here we are, wrapped up in our thoughts of if going to a certain place will be safe for us?

Read Also: St Stephen’s Displacement Causes Problems for Students

A question of safety will always be present at the back of our minds but if a mechanism comes into place which redresses our concerns in regards to harassment then a sense of security can blanket the students and teachers of the varsity. One such committee is the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) which addresses the grievances of students and teachers in regards to any form of sexual harassment. Now, the mechanism seems pleasing since the committee is present in most of the colleges and societies apart from a centralized committee of the varsity. The question arises when we take a look at its functioning.

When a Ramjas Debating society’s member was stripped off his credentials for alleged harassment or a student of DU had to face sexual harassment, where was the ICC at those times? Isn’t it the duty of ICC to keep the varsity a place free of harassment? Aren’t they responsible to spread awareness regarding the same? Where was it when such heinous crimes were unraveling themselves? There is an endless list of questions that need to be asked and answered for the scope of improvement of the safety and security of the campus.

Read Also: Silencing Sexual Harassment: How DU Silences its Survivors

In conversation with DU Beat, a member of the ICC explained the functioning of the committee in DU. The member explained that the ICC expects the complainant to come forward or directly come to the office and give the committee a written complaint. Once the complaint reaches, it is taken up in a meeting. If the entire committee agrees on the authenticity of the complaint and if it falls under the jurisdiction of ICC then the complaint is taken forward. As this is the final step where the complainant can withdraw their complaint, the ICC asks them if they want to pursue it or not. Once the ICC gets their consensus, they are asked for 6 copies (as recommended by law) of the complaint. Then, as the ICC is law bounded with an external legal advisor, they send the whole complaint to the respondent, without censoring anything, and give them a 10 days period to submit their clarification or response to the complaint. After this, both the parties are called in a manner where they don’t see each other and individual hearings take place. Then, the ICC gives them a chance to call the witnesses which is followed by witness testimonies. At the end, the committee comes up with their findings and send them to both the parties involved. If nothing else comes up that could change the nature of the proceedings then the committee arrives at recommendations, and according to those, further actions are taken.

Since there are a lot of complaints at a given point of time and law has given us 90 days to resolve an issue, it generally takes 4-5 months to resolve a complaint.

Member of ICC, DU

Upon asking about the reason behind the recent jump in harassment cases in the academic space, the member stated that it could be attributed to the pandemic where people did not understand the consequences of the things they did behind their laptops and mobiles. Further, the member claimed that the varsity has a persistent issue of gender sensitization. For the part of ICC, as the member claimed, it is taking more and more steps to make people sensitized about the gender, to make students aware about what is right and what is wrong.

The harassment cases haven’t increased exponentially but they have increased, particularly in the cyber space.

Member of ICC, DU

Further the member added that there are certain guidelines issued by the ICC in regards to the recent trend of cases that are coming to the committee but it is difficult to enforce them at the grassroot level. Additionally, the member informed that the apex ICC has no jurisdiction over individual ICC of various colleges and hence cannot intervene in their matters. However, if the grievances of a student have not been resolved at the college level, they can directly write to the ICC of DU and then further steps can be taken in the case.

On asking about what if a particular ICC is not functioning properly, the member said, “I can’t comment on it but you can ask the Proctor of the University. There are other mechanisms to address the issues related to the functioning of ICC of a college.”

When the question about how the ICC intends to improve its functioning was popped before the member, they responded by stating their wish to include more members. However, as they stated, the law has bounded ICC to include only 10 members.

As the member said that the ICC’s duty is to deal with the sexual harassment cases and the problem of gender sensitization only then, who is there to keep a check if the guidelines are followed or if a subordinate ICC is functioning properly? Just as the High Courts have a superintendence over all the subordinate courts, who is there to supervise the subordinate ICCs? What happens if a sexual harassment case is shut down for all the wrong reasons? Who is there to keep a check on the functioning of the redressal mechanism?

Read Also: The Story of the ICC

Featured Image Credits: newslaundry

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Uncategorized

English Department Seeks for the “Restoration of Workload”

By

About 450 teachers from the English Department of Delhi University have signed a petition which seeks for an intervention by the DUTA president in the hope to restore the workload of the department in light of the proposed UGCF structure which suggests a massive reduction in their functions. Read ahead to find out more.

 

The English department of University of Delhi (DU) has sent a petition to the President of Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), A.K. Bhagi, which has been signed by 444 teachers of the department who are urging the President to intervene and restore the Workload of the English Departments of the varsity. They appealed to the DUTA President to take action on the unprecedented loss of workload that English departments will suffer owing to the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) to be implemented from the academic year 2022–23. According to the teachers, they are alarmed by the proposed structures of UGCF which looks forward to a massive reduction, almost in the range of one-third of its existing workload, particularly for the English Department only.They believe that this will lead to a loss of livelihood for the hundreds of ad-hoc teachers teaching for years, in the English departments across the University of Delhi.

 

In the aforementioned petition, teachers have collectively highlighted their concerns pertaining to the removal of English as an option from the Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses (AECC) paper, removal of the English core papers from BA and B.Com Programme and a situation of crisis in the colleges not offering English Honours or Programme courses since teachers would have no workload without the AECC paper. Further, UGCF structure suggests a denial of language to the students and violates a laid down and a long-standing enabling provision of the University in favour of students coming from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, it neglects that many students had English as not only their medium of education but also their core subject till class 12th. Doing away with the language would take away their unlimited options that the National Education Policy (NEP) suggests. 

 

Additionally, the UGC draft has categorically recommended compulsory language courses both in English and Indian languages. This recommendation recognises the importance of English as a language of instruction and communication especially in advanced stages of education leading to research. Instead of abiding by the spirit of the recommendation, DU has chosen to ignore the same and has refused to allow English to be offered as a language in order to equip them with the requisite skill development for employability.

 

Anonymous authorities suggest that with the dropping of the AECC component for English, professors will have one massive element of their workload removed causing work to be re-allocated. Now, by trickle effect, some professors will end up with a lesser workload. As the sources suggest, the moment they will not have sufficient work, it will give the admin the reason to fire them because they anyway do not have the funds to pay them adequately, resulting in pay-cuts everywhere. This is also the reason why so many colleges and departments have ad-hocs who have been reaching for 10-15 years now but have not received their tenure yet.

 

In conversation with DU beat, an English teacher from DU enumerated, on the premise of anonymity, that students from different courses were given an option to choose among various language papers like English, Hindi or Sanskrit but now the thing is not there anymore. The teacher explained that  a lot of workload would get reduced in the sense that one needs a certain number of lectures and tutorials as a part of their workload. The department teaches AECC. Now for instance, the college has six sections and each section comprises 80-100 students.If there are 6 teachers then each teacher is given the responsibility to take up 4 lectures but with UGCF that goes away. 

 

If one does not have an ample number of classes to teach then the college would need less teachers. Less number of classes would mean less number of teachers. That is the main worry of the English teachers across the department.”

-English teacher from DU

 

Further, the teacher stated that from the point of view of a student if one looks at it, a lot of students come from a background where they did not have English as their main subject or they were not very good at it. These days, whether someone likes it or not, English gives an edge. If a student loses an opportunity to improve their language then this may affect their employability. 

 

Besides this, the teacher informed that in the Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) papers, there has been a further reduction. The syllabus of the papers has been reduced and they will be offered for lesser credits. They explained that less credit would mean less number of classes because of the lesser syllabus. This not only reduces the workload but also impacts the students. 

 

“Say for instance, if I take up the paper of Literary criticism or literary theory, the paper in itself is such a dense paper that it was already very difficult to teach under the short semester system. This was because ideas take time to develop and students need time to understand these ideas. Now, we have to just do it and students get what they get and they don’t get a lot of it.”

-English teacher of DU

 

The teacher elucidated that under UGCF, the foundation of the students would weaken because they will be doing such a dense paper for lesser credits and not know anything about it at the end. Hence, this would not only hamper the workload but also result in a loss of jobs. Loss of jobs of the teachers along with the loss of future prospects of the students. 

 

It will be a loss for both teachers and students which would affect both their present and the future.”

-English teacher of DU

 

Moreover, the teacher expressed their wishes that either aforesaid gets rolled back or the University gains an understanding that it will be a loss for both the teachers and the students and this is going to hamper the teaching-learning environment. Because of such a loss, varsity should continue with providing English as an option for the students across all the departments. 

 

Earlier, we all thought, we were very hopeful, that no sort of workload would be lost, no sort of teaching would be lost in that sense but it’s hard to tell now what can be done? Whether it can be rolled back or the university develops an understanding.”

-English teacher of DU

 

Furthermore, the teachers have appealed to the President of DUTA to intervene urgently and ensure that English as an AECC course and as a Core Language course in BA and B.Com

Programme courses remain intact. As per them, this will protect the existing workload of the English department, while also crucially safeguarding the livelihood of hundreds of ad-hoc teachers working in the department across the University.

 

Read Also: UGCF Approval Initiates Protest by DUTA

DU Executive Council Approves UGCF

 

Featured Image credits: NDTV

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Caste in DU: An Exploration

By
Caste in DU: An Exploration

DU has written to the colleges about the existence of Caste based discrimination on campus and has directed to take actions if necessary. However, the question is whether the directions are on paper or are they going to turn up in reality? Read ahead to find out more.

Recently, the University of Delhi (DU) has written to its colleges in regards to the Caste based discrimination. It has asked the colleges to ensure that there is no caste-based discrimination on the campus. Further, it has directed the officials and the faculty members of the university to abstain from any such act that would arise due to the social background of a student.

On 25 May 2022, the assistant registrar of the varsity wrote to the colleges while attaching several letters from the University Grants Commission (UGC) on the subject of prevention of discrimination. Further it asked the colleges to take necessary actions if any such case arises. Meanwhile, the UGC has assured to take four actions on the matter including contitution of a committee which would be responsible to look into the complaints of caste-based discrimination, received from the students, teaching and non-teaching stafee of the varsity, belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST).

The university/institute/college may develop a page on their website for lodging such complaints of caste discrimination by Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) students and also place a complaint register in the registrar/principal office for the purpose.

-DU on prevention of caste-based discrimination

Furthermore, it suggested the colleges take necessary actions as soon as any such incident comes to the notice of the authorities.

DU has often been the place where casteism perpetrates. While hostility between the students belonging to different castes can be observed, the antagonism among the teachers has also become an unhidden observation. In August 2020, an assistant professor had to lose her job on discriminatory grounds for being a Dalit. The professor filed a police complaint. According to her, she met the principal to find out the reason for her termination but was humiliated, threatened, and passed caste-based remarks. Again in September 2020, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes had issued notices to the DU Vice-Chancellor in regards to the alleged caste-based discrimination against the teachers in Daulat Ram College and Dyal Singh College (evening). Moving forward to August 2021, a teacher slapped her colleague in Laxmibai College. The victim, Neelam, had alleged that the attacker, Ranjit Kaur, had slapped her because the former belonged to the Schedule Caste (SC).

If these cases seem less to provide an argument on the caste-based insensitivity that the University houses, how about we take a look at DU’s syllabus? The varsity was subjected to heavy criticism when it removed renowned author Mahasweta Devi’s short story and two Dalit authors- Bama and Sukhartharini, and replaced them with “upper caste” writer Ramabai from the English syllabus. So, the question here is not whether the university is sensitive towards the issue but about taking a bold charge against the perpetrators of caste-based discrimination.

In conversation with a student from Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) told us that even a “prestigious” college like LSR is not an exception with it comes to caste discrimination. According to the student, the university is far from being caste sensitive. She felt disgusted by the notion that the people condemning the acts of discrimination are also the ones who practice them. She calls it an ‘irony’ when the varsity is writing on the issue and continues to be the place perpetuting it.

I have heard from my friends and acquaintances about how their caste segregated them from the others and how it was used as a brand to their names.

-Student, LSR

Another student from LSR, Prachi, who is affiliated to the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), told us that caste based discrimination does exist in the college space, maybe outright or subtle but it does exist. She claimed that previously she was asked if she was admitted to the college through reservation and lines like “in logo ka toh asani se ho jata hai” were spoken. Further, she finds the varsity space caste insensitive. Even though people talk about the sensitivity in top colleges of DU, it is only a ‘talk’ as she stated. Moreover, she asserted that the University is not doing its work in the aspect. She pointed out that the varsity shows its casteist attitude when it does not recruit even a single teacher from marginalised section and simply writes them off that they are not found suitable.

Sensitization of faculty and students should be done through workshops and strict actions should be taken against any case of caste-based discrimination.

–Prachi, SFI, LSR

Asha Avinash Yagy from Ramjas told us that from the outside it could not be felt that such a discrimination exist in the institution. However, it could be felt, according to the him, that people belonging from upper caste, at times, find ways to supress the ones belonging from lower caste. Further, he felt that the university is somewhat caste sensitive but a lot of work needs to be done in the domain to make people live in the harmony of the fact that people from various caste can co-exist. To conclude with what the student felt, he told us that it is of utmost importance that the people have to get over the negativity that exist between them in the name of caste.

As the University is completing 100 years, it needs to become completely caste sensitive.

-Student, Ramjas College

In conversation with Himasweeta Sarma, the president of North East Cell, Hindu College and the Editor-in-chief of DU Beat, told us about the subtle instances of discrimination. Last year, she received a grievance of a North eastern student who was questioned on their food habits and whether they include only ‘momos’. She highlighted although there are no caste-based discrimination taking place within her college, subtle instances like these do take place which leaves a deep impact on the victim. She herself has been subjected to questions like why does she not look ‘North-Easterner’ enough. Further, she finds the university to be insensitive in this matter.

The University does not have time to pay attention to the cries of the student community as a whole. Do you think it’ll have time to listen to the grievances of the minority communities.

-Himasweeta Sarma, President, North East Cell, Hindu College 

Additionally, she feels that introducing committees and announcing orders is not enough. According to her, the university should try to know the experiences of the students who have been the victims of such discrimination, try to understand where the problem lies and take ations against the same. Such actions should be taken that makes the second person think twice before indulging in the same.

To add to this, in conversation with the secretary of SFI Hindu, Ankit, told us about the instances where a student belonging from upper caste try to imply their superiority and try to assert dominance among the students. In his words, if the university would have been sensitive towards caste then they would have taken any action against those who carried out the recent act of violence in Ramjas College.

On 31 May 2022, three students of Ramjas, who are also SFI activists, were attacked within their college. As reported, the students had altered a caste-based slogan which was painted by the supporters of ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad). The physical altercation took place over these caste-based slogans. The perpetrators of the attack on the students, Aman, Akhil and Sachin, are reportedly not the students of Ramjas College. Even though an FIR had not been filed, the perpetrators had publicly admitted to their wrongdoing and issued an apology. SFI had accepted the apology. However, they demanded an assurance from the administration and Police about the safety of the students. 

Further, Ankit feels that the university is completely ignorant towards the problems of students who come from oppressed castes. According to him, most students who dropout belong to the oppressed sections and the university has done nothing substantial in the same aspect. Ankit further stated that the university should assist the students from the oppressed sections so that they do not have to quit studies and can find the university space conducive for studies.

As there is a gender sensitisation committee in colleges, caste senitisation committees must also be set up. SC ST cells in colles must be made compulsory.

-Ankit, Secretary, SFI Hindu 

Collectively, students feel that the discrimination is rooted deep within the minds of the individuals and it is a subject which would require a collective cooperation of all individuals in order to eradicate it. Since the university has finally acknowledged its existence, let us wait to see how will this acknowledgement change the varsity’s environment.

Read Also: Casteism, Class, Convention: Are We Still Free?

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Caste System

Featured Image Credits: Uday Deb via Times of India

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By