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Campus Central

DUSU President Denies Claims of Being Involved in Violence

By Amrashree Mishra December 18, 2019

On December 16, 2019, Akshit Dahiya, President of the Delhi University’s Student Union (DUSU) was captured on a video escorting a student outside which later resulted in violence, the student along with All India Student Association(AISA) claims that the student was beaten up. However, Akshit Dahiya denies all claims.

At 9 pm, Kawalpreet Kaur, National President of the All India Student Association (AISA), posted a video allegedly claiming that a student was beaten up by the DUSU President for protesting peacefully at the Social Sciences Department in presence of the Delhi Police. The video even featured female students trying to save the beaten student from the President as well as the police.

Kawalpreet Kaur wrote, “Remove Akshit Dahiya From #DUSU President! Not our President! This is yesterday video of Delhi University. MA. Philosophy student can be seen beaten up clearly by ABVP led DUSU President Akshit Dahiya and Ankita Biswas, Sonal (these girls pulling his hair) Indejeet Dagar and Bharat Sharma. All of them members of ABVP can be clearly seen in the video. What was the fault of this common student? That he took part in his university protest against #CitizenshipAct. That he stood up with the constitutional values of this country.”

Attached below is the video discussed in the context:

On December 16, students from the Social Science Department organised a protest in terms of examination boycott to show solidarity to the students of Jamia Millia Islamia who had faced a brutal police attack from the police a day before.

The protest was put on halt after the students were allegedly lathi-charged by ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) goons called by the Delhi Police. However, the ABVP denied all of the claims stating that the students along with Leftist parties were trying to persuade and prevent other students from giving their examinations, and the students called the ABVP for help.

The above-mentioned video was shot on the same day and it was said by the victim as well as the AISA that the DUSU President used his power to beat up the students for peacefully protesting. The video features, Merin C. Rapheal, M.A. Philosophy, 1st year from the Department of Philosophy, being the victim of violence.

He said “I was physically assaulted and mentally harassed near the statue of Swami Vivekananda on the Arts Faculty campus as I was returning from the protest. I am extremely disappointed as I got to know later that you were present in the mob that attacked me. As my President in the student body, I expect in earnest and urge you in good faith to restore the decorum of an academic space and re-build the lost trust among the student community at large.”

In contrast, Akshit Dahiya, DUSU President, in conversation with DU Beat, presented his side and a different story, denying all violence claims.

He said, “How this video is being circulated is the false narrative. I was actually supporting the students, I even told them that I will stay with them on the ground as long as they are protesting even when some of the students were not from DU. In the video, I’m actually escorting this student outside who was provoking students to turn the peaceful protest violent. I’m one of the only DUSU president who has gone on ground zero to help them express their right to dissent.”

Feature Image Credits: ABVP

Chhavi Bahmba

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Campus Central

DU Student Protesters Attacked in Arts Faculty

By Shivani Dadhwal December 16, 2019

University of Delhi (DU) students organised a protest in the Arts Faculty of the university on 16^th November, in solidarity with Jamia Milia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University.

The Political Science department of the Delhi University (DU) decided to boycott today’s exam. In the protest, the crowd could be heard chanting slogans like, “Amit Shah, Istifa Do” and “DU Prashasan Murdabad”. But, as the protest grew, the police were called in. The protest shifted from the Social Science building’s entrance to down the stairs where the police then began to manhandle students.

Although the police tried to snatch away the phones of the people recording, videos of the police manhandling the students chanting these slogans surfaced online. In one video, the policemen were dragging the All India Students’ Association (AISA) Presidential Candidate for Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) 2018, Abhigyan, while the student away while the crowd was chanting.

The police constables were allegedly heard saying “10 minutes mein sabka kaam khatam, ABVP bulaye hai abhi. (everything will end in 10 minutes for we have called ABVP)”

Soon after, other members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also arrived along with Akshit Dahiya, DUSU President. “Kitne bacchon ka paper hai… Sir aap inhe bahar karo na (so many kids are giving their exams. Please take these people outside),” said Akshit, referring to the protesters.

However, after the arrival of ABVP, the protesters got chased and beaten up by the ABVP members and the police. On multiple videos, the police could be seen manhandling and detaining the students. Bharat Sharma, State Executive Committee member of ABVP, and Sonal Sharma, Ankita Biswas, and Inderjeet Dagar, members of ABVP were caught on tape verbally and physically assaulting the student protestors.

“Akshit Dahiya arrived and ABVP goons started pouring in. Soon, it became complete chaos. Police and ABVP hitting the protestors. Those with the ‘dandas‘ are ABVP goons. Police lent them the batons. Many protestors were detained,” said Noihrit Gogoi, a student who got beaten up at the protest.

Another student present at the protest added, “I got hit on my face. Ten ABVP boys circled me and called me a terrorist and snatched my phone as I was making a video. Akshit Dahiya gave them orders to snatch my phone in front of me. Police were just watching and did nothing.”

Messages of students warning each other to stay away from the Arts Faculty were also circulated on Whatsapp. Meanwhile, the students of the University started sharing messages asking people to message Akshit Dahiya regarding his statement supporting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). “Spread the word, guys. He has to take this statement down. And that can only happen when students across DU unite. Please text him and let him know that DU does not stand with CAA,” read one message.

“The Delhi University Students’ Union condemns the attack of the academic process of the university by student groups in a move of forcefully preventing students from appearing in examinations… When the affected students called the DUSU President for help, the DUSU President immediately reached the spot and asked the protesters to continue the protest but not force any student to either join or boycott the examination. This led to a clash which sustained injuries on DUSU office bearers and members,” said the DUSU, in its press release.

Akshit Dahiya added, “It is my duty to go out to help the students who are appearing for the exams if they are stopped from doing so. The students called me for help and when I went, I was attacked by them. They raised anti-national slogans in front of me. We can never let such things happen in DU. We reject any lockdown call for DU. We condemn the act of such violent perpetrators and such environment building cannot be tolerated.”

Saimon Farooqi, National Secretary, National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) said, “We conducted a very peaceful protest inside the university campus itself. The police mistreated us. Rocky Tuseed who was the DUSU President in 2017 was also manhandled… we were just fighting for our rights and exercising our rights. If these ABVP members are against our protest, it reflects their ideologies. And because they follow the footprints of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it reflects in those parties also.”

The police then took the protesters at the Arts Faculty to Jantar Mantar in their police bus for them to continue the protest at Jantar Mantar as the situation became too violent on the campus.

Featured Image Credits: Arsh Mehdi

Satviki Sanjay

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DUB News

DUSU Converts Office Common Room into Open Library for Students

By DU Beat December 7, 2019

The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) decided to convert the common room of its office space into a library for students, which is supposed to remain open throughout the hours of the day, all days of the week. Read on to know more.

The North Campus of the Delhi University (DU) has, for a protracted amount of time, longed for a good place to study. The students often complain about the lack of 24×7 libraries and moreover of quality libraries itself.

This problem is more visible during the exam season at the Varsity. As students aren’t able to study in hostel or PG rooms as the rooms are primarily small and the libraries seem to be full all the time. The present libraries either lack the seating capacity or updated books and internet. The students thus, are forced to go to private studying spaces and libraries which are chargeable based on the hour. A large amount of the students hence find this to be very expensive and therefore aren’t able to study properly.

DUSU has, on various occasions, tried to overcome this problem by sending letters to the DU Administration, but the same has not resulted in any positive reaction by the latter. Seeing the gravity of the issue, DUSU led by its President, Akshit Dahiya, has tried to deal with the problem on its own. DUSU has converted the meeting/waiting room in its President’s cabin, at the DUSU Office, into an open library.

Speaking to DU Beat, Dahiya said, “DUSU has for a long time demanded to turn regular libraries into 24×7 libraries in order to help the students. I have met with Proctor and the Rector several times over this issue, as we in our manifesto promised for better and increased number of libraries. During the exam times, several students have conveyed to me that their rooms are too small for studies and that college libraries are always full. Thus, they are forced to go to private libraries and as many of the students cannot afford the same, they face a lot of problems in managing their expenses. Thus, I opened my meeting room for these students to study. I have even sent a letter to the Proctor and other concerned authorities and have warned them that, if no action is taken to solve this library issue, I will even send these students to their offices itself. However, they seem to understand the gravity of the situation and have agreed to meet me on Monday. We are providing the students with internet for e-books and a space to study to the students at the DUSU Office. The students are supporting us a lot and are giving us positive feedback too. I aim to get a solution out for this issue in my meeting on Monday with the Proctor.”

This is a welcome step taken by the Union. However, its implementation and security will be seen only as time comes

Feature Image Credits: Scopio

Aniket Singh Chauhan

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Campus Central

Chronological Account of the DUTA Ad-Hoc Crisis

By DU Beat December 6, 2019

The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) organised a massive protest on December 4 and December 5 in light of the ad-hoc crisis. The protest was in the form of ‘VC Gherao’ where more than 8000 teachers stormed into the VC (Vice Chancellor) Office. After the protest’s intensity, the circular issued on August 28, 2019 has been amended.

The Delhi University Teachers’ Association showed great distress against the circular issued on 28th August 2019 which led to dismissal of 4500 ad-hoc teachers from their teaching service in the University. On 3rd December, 2019, The DUTA office bearers held a meeting at 6 p.m. wherein they decided that due to lack of communication from Professor Yogesh Tyagi, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi (DU), they will give the administration extra 10 hours to resolve the on-going crisis and inform the DUTA about the same. Failure to do so, the DUTA will go on an indefinite strike, boycotting all invigilation, evaluation and any other official duties from 4th December onwards.

The DUTA collaborated with the staff association of various colleges to completely boycott the exam duties as families of 4500 teachers were at stake. However, DUTA requested the teachers not to stop students from taking exams. The administration along with Vice Chancellor remained silent on the entire issue and provided no relief to the teachers which led to the massive protest on 4th December.

On 4th December 2019, the DUTA began with its ‘indefinite strike’ outside the Vice Chancellor’s Office in the North Campus of the University at 11 a.m. Over 8000 teachers participated in the massive protest in the form of VC Gherao on DUTA’s call in response to ongoing crisis.

Image Caption:Teachers gathered in large number outside the VC Office on the first day of the protest

Image Credits: Anoushka Sharma for DU Beat

Teachers raised slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabaad” and “DU VC shame shame” throughout the day. Teachers also reached out to the masses through the social media to raise awareness about the issue and apprise the students of the cause beyond the exam boycott.

The teachers went through and occupied the Council Hall where Academic Council and Executive Council meetings are held.

“Thank you, VC, for not caring about 4500 Families”, “VC communicate” and “Lodge was stormed in 1984 and 2019” were written all over the walls of the Council Hall to show the dissent of the teachers.

Teachers scribble their dissent on the walls of the VC Office

Several student organisations such as the All India Students’ Union (AISA), Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) and Student Federation of India (SFI) extended their solidarity to the teachers and even joined the protest. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) led Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) also organised protests and condemned the actions of the Vice Chancellor.

At 6:45 P.M. , Many hours after the occupation of the lodge, the VC showed no sign of communication. The police tried to stop the food arrangements made by DUTA for the raging protesters. At 9 P.M., DUTA kept its coordination meeting and decided to keep the strike on with the use of candles and torches.

On December 5, the strike continued outside the VC Lodge with all the teachers protesting relentlessly. Due to the earlier day’s protest, the Administration called the police forces for security. As per sources, the police performed a lathi march on the teachers to stop them from entering the building. Allegedly many of the teachers along with students got injured in the ruckus.

Image Caption: The second day of the protest saw immense barricading and police force deployment as the teachers continued with their demands

Image Credits:Yadu Ushanandani

A meeting was held at 4 p.m. and a circular was released by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in light of the ad-hoc crisis.

The circular released by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India

At 7 P.M. on the same day, DUTA was promised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) that no teacher would lose their job because of the August 28 letter. Due to the meeting of DUTA executives with the MHRD, a circular was released that proposed immediate changes in criteria and appointment of the academic staff and promised to launch new additional teaching positions under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in no less than 30 days.

However, while DUTA celebrated a kind of victory, the DUTA Executive decided to keep a meeting on 6th December 2019 and kept the protest on with their continued demand for the absorption for all teachers.

On 6th December 2019, the extended DUTA Executive Meeting was held at 2 p.m. to review the next course of action. After the meeting ended, Seema Das, Member of the Academic Council quoted, “Friends, we think that we have not gained any substantive achievement on any issue, not even the issue of withdrawal of 28th August letter. Rather, it has now become more confusing and makes it subject to interpretation by the head of institution. Besides, nothing concrete is gained on promotion and other issues. Status quo is maintained. At least some concrete step towards Absorption was what we were looking for out of this unprecedented movement. In such situation, I am doing my best to carry on with this fight along with a few dedicated activists and ad-hoc colleagues. Need support from you all.”

Meanwhile, the strike at the VC Office and the exam duty boycott continues with the request for the absorption for all teachers.

Feature Image Credits: Yadu Ushanandani

Chhavi Bahmba

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DUB News

Student Organisations Come Together to Support JNU Protests Against Fee Hike

By Maumil Mehraj November 23, 2019

Students from different universities came together in support of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to protest against the fee hike. Read on to find out more.

On Thursday, 21st November 2019 students from Delhi University (DU), JNU, and Jamia Milia Islamia (JMI) participated in a protest led by Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) against the hostel fee hike in JNU.

The protest consisted of a march commencing from Mandi House which continued till the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The demands of the protestors included a complete rollback of the increased hostel fee hike amount, resumption of classes. Apart from this, they also demanded an end to the prevaricating attitude of MHRD with powerful slogans.

Sidharth Yadav, Secretary, ABVP Delhi, said, “We demand a complete rollback of the hiked hostel fee. Today’s protest has only served to fortify our fight for reversion to the earlier fee-structure. In principle, ABVP is against the ongoing series of fee hikes across several educational institutions and would request their respective administrations to refrain from such inexcusable conduct. We chose to organise a separate protest vis-a-vis JNU Students’ Union because of the latter’s unseemly actions wherein they desecrated the University space and damaged public property, in addition to undercutting the momentum and sullying the spirit of the ongoing movement. While they employ profitable victimhood to further their self-serving ends, we choose the openhanded and inclusive approach in our fight for justice.”

According to sources, around 160 people were arrested during the protest taking place at the Parliament street which included 3 handicapped student protestors. Students came in support of JNU in a huge number and didn’t care about the consequences. The protestors chanted slogans like “HRD Minister istifa do (HRD Minister, resign), Fee hike nahi sahenge” (we won’t tolerate fee hike) against the JNU administration and HRD ministry, who according to students is responsible behind this fee hike.

Durgesh Kumar, President, ABVP, JNU, said, “Left-oriented organisations, in an infelicitous act of misrepresentation, misappropriation and crass political expediency, have blunderingly acquiesced to the intervention of HRD Ministry’s High Powered Committee into the ongoing issue. We reject such interposition and push for the uncritical acceptance of all our demands.”

Apart from students, members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and ABVP were also detained after a quarrel between the protestors and the security personnel. The area had protection through triple layers of barricades and Delhi Police was on high alert. Students still managed to climb through the barricades out of rage and ignite a conflict with the security personnel which also involved Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.

Manish Jangid, Secretary, ABVP, JNU, said, “While JNUSU has thrown in the towel, we continue to hold out. The manner in which the police authorities stymied our protest was undemocratic. We call for the HRD Minister to either unconditionally comply with our demands or resign forthwith.”

Akshit Dahiya, President, DUSU, said, “DUSU stands in opposition to this undue increase in JNU hostel fee. We stand in unison with all sincere protestors and request the government to put in place a discrete regulatory body to independently judge the necessity as well as delineate the quantum of any fee hikes in future. Our successes against similar fee-hikes in Delhi University is a testament to our commitment and our capability to take this fight to its logical end.”

Feature Image Credits: Ashutosh Singh for ABVP

Avni Dhawan

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DUB Speak

Students Burn Effigies in Solidarity with JNU

By Shivani Dadhwal November 21, 2019

The agitation against fee hike at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) reached Delhi University (DU) when progressive student fronts performed protest demonstration and effigy burning at North Campus.

The movement against arbitrary fee hike in JNU has garnered support from educational institutions all across the country. After the inhumane brutality of police forces won, the JNU students protesting became national news, many organisations and bodies joined hands to bestow their support. Most recent in line are the progressive student bodies of Delhi University who conducted a protest march in North Campus on Wednesday which followed effigy burning of Delhi Police, Home Minister Amit Shah and Baba Ramdev, who made spurious comments regarding Periyar, Birsa Munda, Savitribai Phule, and B.R Ambedkar yesterday.

All India Students’ Association (AISA), All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), Pinjra Tod, Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), Democratic Students’ Union (DSU) and other progressive collectives of DU organised this protest demonstration at Art Faculty from where the protesters circled a part of north campus. Chanting slogans of “Azadi” and “Halla Bol” along with placards condemning Delhi Police and Government Forces, the protesters walked past Campus Law Centre, Law Faculty and came back to Art Faculty where effigies of the were burnt.

“For the last one month, JNU students have been protesting for 999 percent fee hike and the introduction of a new hostel manual which is a step to push people from a deprived background, women, Dalits away from the University,” said Ankur Agraj, a second-year Law student at Campus Law Centre.

On the question of ABVP demanding the formation of a joint struggle committee for fee hike issue the AISA supporter said, “After all, ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) is also a student organization. Their supporters will also be affected by this hike. But the ABVP wing of JNU has displayed a pro VC (Vice Chancellor) stand from the very beginning. It’s important for them to understand that it’s not about Left or Right. The institution comes before your ideology.”

Neel Madhav, a final year Journalism student said, “The time has come to burn all the educational institutions of this country. Because, the government has finally proved that knowledge, merit, academics, and art hold no value in this country. They have made it so evident that family of a king will hold kinship and a poor will rot as a poor coming from marginalized background will remain poor for whole of his life.”

The support came from teachers as well. Laxman Yadav, Professor at Zakir Hussain College addressed the protester after effigy burning. He raised questions about the whereabouts of Najib, who went missing from JNU last year. “Democracy is being assassinated in Kashmir and PM says everything is fine. The way Kashmir is being throttled, education will also be chocked to death,” he expressed.

Narrating a story on why it is important to fight against administrative cruelty, Laxman said, “When there was fire in a forest, the bird tried to control it. On asking why is she doing this when it is obvious that she won’t be able to extinguish it, the bird said that she knows that, but when the history of this forest will be written, they will tell that this bird at least tried to stop the fire.”

For more than 80,000 students in Delhi University, only 4,000 hostels are afforded. The movement at Jawaharlal Nehru University has raised a critical question for the lack of hostel facilities and high fee structure here at Delhi University.

Image Credits: Noihrit Gogoi for DU Beat

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Campus Central

ABVP Protests Against Construction of 39-Storey Private Building in Campus

By Kartik Chauhan November 11, 2019

On 11th November 2019, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organised a protest from the Arts Faculty in the University of Delhi (DU) North Campus, to the Vishwavidyalaya metro station against the construction of a private 39-storey building in the University Campus.

The protest was joined by members of ABVP and led by Siddharth Yadav, State Secretary, ABVP, and Shivangi Kharwal, Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) Joint Secretary. The protest was led with slogans like, “students’ power, Nations’ power,” and “DMRC hosh mein aao,”.

Siddharth Yadav, State Secretary, ABVP, said to DU Beat, “We were the first ones to raise this issue as an organisation. We attracted attention towards it way back. The land was transferred in 2008 to this private builder by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) by corrupt practices that involved the then government as well. A private residential land on a public complex will not be accepted by the student union. This is one issue where people must unite. This is beyond ideological differences. We are hopeful in the coming days, people would unite.”

“A building on chhatra marg would be destructive- it would not be chhatra marg anymore. It would be 600 more families, 2500 more cars on campus. This is not what DU looks like. North Campus is prestigious. Most of the buildings are heritage buildings. If we change it today it is going to be a disgrace to all student leaders, to all students across. We are going to attract media houses. After this, DUSU is going to meet the defense ministry, the DMRC, the LG, and the NDFC. So, we are planning for delegations, we are planning to take this issue big,” he added.

“This is our second protest. This time, DUSU has called all organisations to come forward and join our protest and fight. This issue is an issue concerning all students in the University. Our demand is that this land should be used for the construction of hostels and sport complexes. This land is not for private builders of mafias. ABVP has written a letter to all student organisations and talked to DUTA and DUCU as well,” said Shivangi Kharwal, DUSU Joint Secretary to DU Beat.

Raja Chaudhary, one of the students who had been leading a protest against the construction of the building since 4th November on the footpath beside the metro station, said, “aap dekh rahe honge yaha pe ABVP ka protest chal raha hai. Mai bas yahi kehna chahunga ki yaha pe tokenism wala protest nahi chalega. (You would be seeing the ABVP protest that is going on right here. All I would like to say is that tokenism would not work here,)”. He has also guest authored an article regarding the construction of the private building on DU Beat.

This construction has also been opposed by students from colleges like Miranda House, Aryabhatta College, Kirori Mal College, and the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA). DU has also written letters to the President and the PMO regarding the construction of the building.

Feature Image Credits: Satviki Sanjay for DU Beat

Satviki Sanjay

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Campus Central

ABVP achieves clean sweep, claims 7 of 11 DUSU Executive Councillor Posts

By DU Beat October 25, 2019

Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad wins 7 out of the 11 Executive Councillor Posts at the Delhi University Students’ Union Elections, as declared this Tuesday.

On Tuesday, 22^nd October 2019, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) claimed 7 out of 11 Councillor Posts in the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) Executive Committee.

ABVP’s Tushar Baisla secured the position of the first councillor with the highest number of votes. The posts of executive councillors went to ABVP’s Vaibhav Chaudhry, Nishulk Kharb, Taranprit Kaur, Suryansh Singh, Ravindra Beniwal and Shubham Chaudhry.

In a press release by the ABVP on Tuesday, Sidharth Yadav, State Secretary, ABVP Delhi said, “ABVP’s victory in the Executive Councillor election is a testament to the emergence of a tenacious and proficient cadre of student activists. That ABVP has found its feet as a sincere representative of students’ interests is evidenced by the popular support it enjoys across the entire spectrum of the student community.”

In the same press release, Akshit Dahiya, President DUSU, and Pradeep Tanwar, Vice-President DUSU, congratulated the winners and said, “After the victory in the Central Panel and for the posts of Central Councillors, the victory of ABVP in Executive Committee elections certifies the trust of students in us. Vibrant student activism in DU has given leadership not only in politics but also in other fields such as corporate, education, management, science etc. We will work alongside the Central Council and Executive Committee in the interests of the students.”

ABVP volunteers held celebrations in Delhi University’s North Campus after the declaration of results. “Executive Committee is democratically an important part of the Delhi University Students’ Union. The structure of the Delhi University Students’ Union differs from other students’ unions due to the affiliation of colleges. Already the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad had a majority in the Central Council and now also has a majority in the Executive Committee. We have already started work on the 5P model that we gave in our manifesto and are trying to do whatever is possible through the student union, We will try to give our best. We thank all the students of Delhi University and the members of DUSU Central Council for this great victory,” Ashutosh, ABVP’s Delhi Media Conveyor, told DU Beat.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad won three seats in the Delhi University Students Union Elections conducted recently.

Featured Image Credits- Indian Express

Shreya Juyal

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Admissions

ABVP Protests Against Nepotism in Admissions

By Shivani Dadhwal October 20, 2019

ABVP protests against fraud and nepotism in the admission process of a Ph.D./M.Phil. student and violation of UGC regulations by the Department of Political Science of the University of Delhi (DU).

Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) volunteers gathered at the Faculty of Arts and marched to the Department of Political Science on 18th October, 2019, for the second day of their protest against the administration of Political Science Department for the ongoing corruption, nepotism and violation of University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines in the admission process.

The Department of Political Science has allegedly conducted its Ph.D./ M.Phil. admissions without adherence to UGC regulations and University of Delhi statutes, resulting in favouritism and negligence of merit. ABVP has been protesting since the 17th October, 2019 against the fraud in the admission process in the Ph.D. of this Department, violation of rules and regulations of University Grant Commission, and favouritism in the admission process. According to the Press Release issued by ABVP, a group of Professors, who are ideologically intolerant of liberal ideas, they are denying admission to the meritorious students.

This protest has come after discrepancies in the 2019 admissions. Apparently, on 7th October, the list of the selected candidates was published. However, after two hours, it was removed and a new list was published. The only difference, it no longer had the name of a girl belonging to the Scheduled Castes category. The administration of the Department has not given the reasons for the removal of the name yet. Moreover, only 13 seats out of the 18 available seats were opened for admission.

Ashutosh Singh, State Media In-charge for ABVP, said to DU Beat, “We came to know through the students that the professors tend to give preference to their favourite students in the viva for the entrance exam, neglecting the ones who are also deserving. Last year it came to our notice that even the top ranking students of the entrance exam were not able to get admission after the viva. How is it possible for the top rankers to completely fail in viva?”

ABVP has asked the administration of Political Science Department seven questions regarding the inconsistencies in the admission process and has given the administration an ultimatum to answer their queries by Monday. ABVP claims to also have written letters to the Dean of Political Science Department, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi and Vice President of India for this purpose. Apart from this, the ABVP volunteers have also placed the following demands:

Make admission process to M.Phil./Ph.D. fair and transparent.
The admission process must be centralized and time-bound.
Admission must be conducted in adherence to UGC regulations and the University of Delhi statutes.
All the seats offered by DU prospectus for Ph.D. intake should be fulfilled at the earliest by all the Departments.
The number of seats for the research must be increased.
Social Justice must be implemented in all its constitutional and legal dimensions.
The UGC prescribed 70:30 ratio of written exam to viva-voce must be implemented with all its transparency.
The examination process must be student-friendly and the bureaucratic red-tapism must be curbed.
Steps must be taken to curtail the influence of Teachers’ politics on the admission process.
Address the grievances of those students who have been denied admission on fraudulent grounds.

Siddharth Yadav, State Secretary, ABVP Delhi, said in the Press Release, “Administration of Political Science Department should not think that yesterday we were here only for a symbolic protest, we will continue our protest till the student interests are not secured. Our protest will turn into a revolution if the administration will not listen to our demands.”

Featured Image Credits: University of Delhi

Satviki Sanjay

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Arts Faculty

Faculty of Arts Echoes with Protests for Jadavpur University

By Sakshi Arora September 23, 2019

Saturday, 21^st September, saw a series of protests concerning the Jadavpur University unrest in West Bengal. On one hand, All India Students’ Association (AISA), Pinjra Tod, and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) protested against the actions of Babul Supriyo and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) supporters at the Jadavpur University. On the other hand, ABVP protested against left terror and condemned the heckling of Supriyo.

On Saturday, 21^st September 2019, two protests broke out in the Faculty of Arts, North Campus of the Delhi University (DU). The first protest was organised by Pinjra Tod, AISA, SFI along with other left supporters, condemning the actions of the ABVP supporters and Babul Supriyo at Jadavpur University. In response, a counter-protest was held by members of the ABVP, calling for an end to “Left Terror” and “Red Terror” across the country, condemning the heckling of Supriyo at Jadavpur University.

The left-leaning parties and Pinjra Tod arrived at the Faculty of Arts first. The protest, planned for 12 p.m, began at 12:15 p.m. because the police force present on the venue impeded it. After reconciliation with the police force, the left began their protest surrounded by barricades with slogans like, “ABVP ki gundagardi, nahi chalegi! (Hooliganism by ABVP would not be accepted!)” and “ladenge tumse kadam kadam pe! (We will fight against injustice every step of the way!)” Outside these barricades, ABVP supporters began their own protest, condemning and to stop leftist and red terrorism, and violence, while chanting, “Desh ke gaddaro ko, goli maaro saalo ko! (We need to kill off the traitors!)”

Following this, the Akshit Dahiya and Shivangi Kharwal, the President and Joint Secretary of Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) respectively, addressed the crowd. Thereafter, ABVP proceeded to move closer to the leftist protest and burnt effigies with “Left Terror” and “Red Terror” written on them. When the effigy burning did not faze the leftist parties, the ABVP supporters went closer to barricades and shouted slogans like, “Bharat mata ki Jai! (Long live Mother India!)” and “Left Unity Muradabad! (Go down Left Unity!)” This resulted in the leftist parties and Pinjra Tod to turn to the barricades and chant, “Azadi!”

Sidharth Yadav, Delhi State Secretary of the ABVP, told DU Beat, “The incident is shameful! Does the freedom of expression allow anyone to pull [a] union minister by his hair? Tear a guest’s shirt? Manhandle a woman? Is what left did in Jadhavpur University not mob lynching? It’s high time we stop our selective outrage and expose such people. The left only believes in violence and this is what they have done in Kerala, bengal, JNU; wherever they are in power. We won’t tolerate this in DU. DU stand with Jadhavpur University and the space of debate and dissent won’t end here.”

While Kawalpreet Kaur, President of AISA, commented, “From JU to DU, wherever there is a strong students’ voice against BJP’s anti-people and anti-student policies, BJP government unleashes an all out attack on campus democracy.” She also added that DU students stood up when ABVP had vandalised a seminar in Ramjas College, and will also stand up against ABVP’s hooliganism across the country.

We contacted members of the SFI and Pinjra Tod for detailed responses, but they were unable to provide a comment on the same.

Feature Image Credits: Gauri Ramchandani for DU Beat

Shreya Juyal

shreya.juyal72002@gmail.com

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