Students of Jesus and Mary College boycott classes after the abrupt cancellation of Montage ‘26, demanding transparency, accountability, and clearer communication from the administration over security-related concerns.
Students of Jesus and Mary College (JMC) boycotted classes on Monday, February 23, in protest against the sudden cancellation of their annual cultural fest, Montage ‘26. The action followed a sequence of rescheduling announcements and what students have described as inadequate communication from the college administration.
Montage ‘26 was originally scheduled for February 20-21. On February 14, the Student Council informed students that the fest had been rescheduled to February 23-24 after a meeting with the Station House Officer (SHO). According to the Council’s message, the upcoming AI Summit, scheduled to happen from 16th February to 20th February, and being of national importance, would lead to tighter security arrangements and restrictions on vehicle movement in the Chanakyapuri area, necessitating compliance with police directives.
While acknowledging that bookings had been finalised and all preparations were being done, the Council requested cooperation, emphasising that the decision to postpone was beyond its control.
However, on February 19, students were informed that the fest had been cancelled altogether. In subsequent communications, the Council stated that despite repeated queries, no detailed or official clarification had been issued by the college administration. The only explanation cited informally was “security concerns” and alleged incidents at another college.
In an emotional message, the Council clarified that preparations had been completed from its end. “The bookings were made, the MoUs were signed, the artist was confirmed, and every arrangement had been taken care of. The event has been cancelled solely because of security issues, not because of any lapse from our side,” the statement read. The Heads of the Council described the past two months as “a roller coaster,” adding, “We have fought, we have cried, we have argued and we have begged,” revealing the emotional strain following the decision.
The cancellation triggered dissatisfaction among students, particularly as other colleges under the University of Delhi continued to host or reschedule their fests. One student remarked, “I believe we as students have the right to know the exact reason behind the cancellation of the fest. It’s hurtful to see that other colleges like Sri Venkateswara College and Miranda House, which had their fests scheduled for this week, are having their fests, and other colleges have postponed their fests rather than directly cancelling them.”
Another student emphasised the broader significance of such events: “Fests form an integral part of college life where students invest months of effort, creativity and emotion into building this fest. For the freshers and those who were to attend their last fest, it’s very disappointing, especially when the administration has cited just security reasons without any clarity and transparent dialogue.”
Despite their frustration, students maintained that the boycott was not an act of hostility. “As students, we understand that security is a serious concern, and we respect the administration’s intent to ensure everyone’s safety. However, this boycott is a peaceful and democratic way for students to express their emotions and seek acknowledgement. We hope that our voices are not seen as opposition, but rather as participation in shaping a more transparent, inclusive, and student-responsive college environment,” a participant said.
Amid the ongoing developments, a controversy briefly surfaced on social media. An anonymous Instagram user with the ID “unicorn.7841926” commented under the boycott announcement post, alleging that the President of the Student Council, members of the Sponsorship Team, and the faculty had misappropriated approximately ₹5 lakhs from sponsorship funds. The comment was removed a few minutes later by the same anonymous account. No evidence supporting the allegation was publicly presented, and neither the administration nor the Student Council issued any official statement addressing the claim.
Messages circulated across departments urging students to remain absent from classes on Monday as a symbolic demonstration of unity. Attendance across several departments was significantly lower than usual, indicating substantial participation.
As of Monday evening, the administration had not released a comprehensive public statement addressing the concerns. For many at JMC, February 23 represents more than a missed fest—it marks a collective assertion of the student body’s demand for transparency, accountability, and meaningful dialogue in decisions affecting campus life.
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Featured Image Source- Anonymous
Richa Choudhary
