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“Want Justice, Not Job:” Protests for Suspension of DRC Principal Intensify

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Former Assistant Professor Dr. Ritu Singh has been at the forefront of the protest against the alleged display of casteism in her dismissal from the Psychology Department of Daulat Ram College (DRC) by Principal Dr. Savita Roy.

Protestors from organisations such as the Bhim Army Students Federation (BASF) and Mission Save Constitution have since the past 150 days joined Dr. Ritu Singh in claiming Gate No. 4 of the Arts Faculty of Delhi University (DU) to display their resistance against the structural casteism pervading the University.

The dismissal of the former professor had taken place midway through the COVID-19 pandemic without show-cause notice. Her allegations of casteist harassment against the DRC principal were initially dismissed by the Sessions Court, the High Court, and even the Delhi Police. Later, on 23 May, 2023, a complaint was registered by Delhi Police upon the intervention of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. A list of the signatures of 35 students provided by Dr. Savita Roy as evidence backing up the termination of Dr. Singh’s services was also, as The Quint reports, falsified.

The Mooknayak presents a recurrent account of alleged police supression against the scenery of blue flags fluttering in the midst of small businesses selling books on Dalit literature at Gate No. 4, which was then reportedly vandalised, protest tents removed, and protestors detained. The incident took place in the early morning of 9 January, 2024. Questions were raised about the subsequent imposition of Section 144, and a complaint was said to have been filed against the looting of Dr. Singh’s personal belongings and the alleged unruly behaviour of the police.

Protestors have further claimed that the site was washed with Gangajal and Gaumutra for its apparent purification, along with the locking of the university gates and the dismantling of a poster of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The protestors took to social media to question the motives behind such actions. Supreme Court Advocate Mehmood Pracha questioned in a post on Dr. Singh’s X (previously Twitter) handle,

How will a space become impure if Dr. Ritu sits down?

On 19 January, 2024 Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad joined the protest site to extend support and mark the death anniversary of Rohith Vemula. The Press Trust of India (PTI) reports that Azad, along with Dr. Singh, advocate Pracha, and around 80 other protestors, were detained and subsequently released.

In a conversation with DU Beat, BASF President Ashutosh Boddh confirmed the account of repression and claimed the structural complicity of the Vice Chancellor in the denial of justice and maltreatment of not just Dr. Singh but her fellow protestors. He cited the refusal to take action against the chargesheeted Dr. Savita Roy and DU registrar Vikas Gupta, the former of whom was in fact later appointed General Secretary of the Principals’ Association. He posed the question,

Why is it that we see locks on the University gates only when our demands are in question?

In a recent video uploaded to her YouTube channel, Dr. Singh sought an update on the five demands made before the Dean of Student Welfare. These demands include the immediate suspension of both Dr. Roy and Vikas Gupta, an investigation into the ‘NFS’ or Not Found Suitable option that the University allegedly resorts to when it comes to candidates of the reserved categories, as well as an inquiry into the other allegedly fraudulent appointments made to the University.

As of now, no requisite actions or response has been made on the aforementioned demands.

Read also : Protesters Demand Suspension of DRC Principal Dr. Savita Roy

Featured Image Credits: Bhumika Saraswati via Instagram

Deevya Deo
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Campus Central

Protesters Demand Suspension of DRC Principal Dr. Savita Roy

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As the Daulat Ram College Principal, Dr Savita Roy, faces casteist harassment allegations from a former staff member, organizations have gathered in the Arts Faculty area of North Campus, DU, to demand the former’s suspension.

Since August 28, 2023, the Bhim Army Student Federation (BASF) and Mission Save Constitution have staged an ongoing, 24/7, sit-in protest that demands the suspension of Daulat Ram College Principal, Dr. Savita Roy. Dr. Roy has been accused of perpetrating caste-based discrimination and firing former ad hoc Assistant Professor, Dr. Ritu Singh, without a show-cause notice.

The case dates back to 2020, when Dr. Singh was allegedly fired without proper notice in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. She came out with accusations against the Principal at the time, saying that the latter took issue with her social activism and political stances. She was also accused of passing casteist remarks and slurs.

Initially, Dr. Singh’s plea was dismissed by both the Sessions Court and High Court and also failed to register as an FIR by the Delhi Police, citing a lack of evidence. Only after she approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes was an FIR filed last year against the Principal, as well as DU Registrar Vikas Gupta, under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The Quint elaborated on the various accounts under which FIR was filed and chargesheeted: “Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using a forged document or record) of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 3(u) (promoting feelings of ill-will, enmity or hatred against a member of the SC/ST community, through words or signs) and 3(2)vii (committing any offence under this section as a public servant) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989”.

Dr. Singh’s case is being represented by her lawyer, Adv. Mehmood Pracha, who is also the National Convenor for Mission Save Constitution. When the Principal came out with a statement saying that Dr. Singh’s removal had been on the basis of a complaint against her signed by 35 students, Pracha claimed that these 35 students had allegedly not even studied under Dr. Singh.

The Mission’s Delhi Convenor, Rajesh Kumar, said in conversation with DU Beat,

If Dr Savita Roy has been booked under such heinous allegations and had a chargesheet filed against her, how is she still holding this post?

The ongoing protest has been organised by the Bhim Army Student Federation in alliance with Mission Save Constitution and awaits an appropriate response from the University administration and Vice Chancellor.

Read also: DU Teachers’ Associations Unite to Take on RSS-backed Union in DUTA Elections

Featured Image Credits: Vanya Garud for DU Beat

Sanika Singh
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Arts & Culture

Netflix: A Market of its Own

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The current generation seems to be getting too engaged with the virtual world of web-series and movies. How has it really affected us, as a generation?

Netflix was launched in India in the beginning of 2016, and though it has not been earning any profits until now, it has managed to become a part of the daily lives of the people who have used it. This article aims to look into the various effects that the coming of Netflix to India has had upon the generation of today.

  • The addiction

Not only has Netflix seeped into our lives with trendy shows and movies, but it has become a part of us. There are shows that have created their own set of fan-base (like Sacred Games, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Riverdale, etc.) and have come up with multiple seasons, only to hook the audience to their respective screens. Where on one hand, it has opened up multiple possibilities for creative minds to explore the realm of filmmaking and content-writing, it has also – in many ways – taken the form of a habit in the present generation.

The association of millennials (especially Indians) with web series and movies is an interesting thing to explore and analyse. A recent study in psychology has shown that the present generation is showing extremely high levels of stress and anxiety. Watching shows online relieves us from this stress, lifts us from our stressful lives, and gives us a glimpse of the world that we yearn to live in. When the casual watching turns into an activity the day seems incomplete without – that is hard to tell. A teacher from the English Department of Daulat Ram College expressed her concern regarding the same by saying, “I’m concerned about sleep deprivation and a neglect of important responsibilities in millennials, which stem as a result of binge-watching the series available on Netflix and other such platforms.” There have been cases of video addiction in recent times where teenagers were reported to be going crazy if they were not allowed to watch something.

  • The procrastination

A second-year student had this to say about procrastination and Netflix- “Both are- to a great extent- proportionate.” This sums up the whole argument of how once one is absorbed by a series, it is difficult to let go of it and, by extension, it results in procrastination. Another second-year student expressed how once when she started watching a particular show, she just couldn’t stop herself as she was overwhelmed by the feeling of getting over with it, and this feeling was intertwined with a fear of spoilers.

It is overwhelming indeed, when the mystery keeps one going incessantly and to a point where it’s hard to tell if we are controlling Netflix, or if Netflix is controlling us. This is exactly where the capitalist approach of the times comes in. Our procrastination is governed by a platform that is basically feeding on our own money.

  • Peer pressure

A major issue in today’s time of Game of Thrones, Sacred Games, 13 Reasons Why, etc. is that one tends to automatically feel left out if one has not watched the shows and the friends cannot stop referring to/talking about it. Subconsciously, we are inclined to think that there is something wrong with us, we are lacking something, or are behind when people all around us make constant allusions to virtual scenarios we are too distant from. It is only natural to think in that way, but at times it compels you to follow in the same old, worn out trend of watching a show just so you can relate better with your peers. The real question to ask here is: what is your relationship based upon, if it depends solely on what somebody else thought about something and how they interpreted it?

The ‘moving with the mob’ mentality has sadly seeped into our brains, and we have been victimised into mere objects for the capitalism-driven world. It is now up to us to decide if we want to step out of it right now, or let it take control of our time and being.

Feature Image Credits: TODAY

Akshada Shrotryia

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Campus Central

DRCSU Election Controversy Escalates, Principal Clears the Air

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The DRCSU elections (2018-19), after having survived a good amount of ups and downs faces another jeopardy as one of the presidential candidates asserts her role as the ‘co-president’.

Sonia Sehrawat, who contested for the post of President in the Daulat Ram College Students’ Union (DRCSU) Election, 2018-19 held in September 2018, has recently taken the college students by surprise through a Facebook post. In the post, she openly declares her position as the co-president of the college; a post that is non-existent in the union. The post of “Co-President” does not exist in the Constitution of Delhi University, which Daulat Ram College follows in its electoral process too. Sehrawat also took to Facebook to post her official appointment letter, given to her by the Chairperson of the college, who has been missing since the beginning of the election.

The elections that took place last year saw a series of controversies as it is and this recent development is only giving a rise to the already burning flame between the then competitors. The present union is, in fact, organising a protest in front of the administration office  on 12th February, 2019 at 10 a.m.

Sehrawat, a third-year student pursuing Botany Honours in Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi has thanked three men in the Facebook post. She has referred to them as a “constant support” in her “5 months of continuous struggle”. One of the three, Akshay Lakra is, as a matter of fact, the State President of National Students Union of India.

 

Diksha Verma, the current president of DRCSU, when asked about the actions taken by Sonia Sehrawat had this to say: “This is a mockery of the mandate of the students. And I, as the elected president cannot let this happen.” The actions were ‘taken behind her back’ and the union was unaware about any such happening or decision. The appointment letter that confirms Sonia Sehrawat’s post as a co-president was issued on the 11th February 2019, and is allegedly the result of a meeting held in the college on 22nd November 2018 between the Principal, Chairperson, and Representative of the Students Advisory Board. The official minutes of the meeting will be released tomorrow, so there is little clarity if the decision to inculcate Sehrawat as the co-president came unanimously.

On 12th February 2019, the Principal of Daulat Ram College  released a notice after false news of the appointment of a Co-President was spread across, clarifying that the elections were free and fair and there’s no addition to the union.
The Chairperson of the college, who has no role to play in the union elections had sent an appointment letter to Sonia Sehrawat who had lost the Presidential elections with around 70 votes.The Chairperson without considering all the minutes of the meetings took this drastic step which reflects dictatorship and authoritarianism.

IMG-20190212-WA0029       drc2

Through the minutes of the meeting held on 22nd November 2018, it was clarified that a team consisting of all the students who are not part of union be made part of a secondary team which would be headed by Sonia and Neha, both presidential candidates. It was further decided that they be appointed as ‘Co- Presidents’ and be given definite goals and duties. However, this team in no case will supersede the role of Union headed by the duly elected President.

 

 

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

 

Akshada Shrotryia

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Admissions 2018

Confusion in B.A. Programme Cut-offs Leaves Students in Despair in Daulat Ram

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The University of Delhi released its second cut off list on 25th of June for all courses of Arts, Commerce and Science stream.

Many students who withdrew their admission from previous colleges and came to Daulat Ram College were denied admission into their course of choice because they did not meet the prerequisite cut-off. Due to miscommunication and lack of awareness regarding the B.A. Programme course, many students assumed one cut-off to be applicable to all subject combinations.

A case of avoidable circumstances can be observed here. The cumulative cut-off list released by the University of Delhi is divided into two parts. While the first part comprises only of the cut-offs in the respective courses, the second part comprises certain remarks about these cut-offs. It tells about the colleges that are offering relaxation for girl candidates, the subjects that one should have studied till class 12th to apply for certain courses, etc.

The course B.A. Programme offers many combinations to the students, depending on the subjects taught in a particular college. However, the cut-offs for different combinations are different in many colleges. This information is only mentioned in the second part of the list, and is also available on the respective college’s website.

Unfortunately, a lot of aspiring candidates have skipped this part which has led to a lot of chaos and confusion. Students who withdrew their admission from previous colleges and came to Daulat Ram College had to face such this situation. Believing that the cut-off for the entire course was 91%, they tried to seek admission, only to find out that the said cut-off was just for some particular combinations.

Therefore, it is advised that the entire list is carefully checked before seeking admission in any college. The second part of the list is not supposed to be skimmed, but rather it is supposed to be read thoroughly. If a candidate doubts the cut-off or is even a little unaware of it, he/she should not hesitate to call up the college authorities or even visit the college campus if their calls are going unanswered.

A volunteer from Daulat Ram College who wished to remain anonymous was quoted saying, “Because the candidates did not clearly check all of the varied combination cut-offs a lot of confusion and chaos happened on the first day of admission, after the declaration of the second list.”

 

Anukriti Mishra

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News

Protests Break out in Daulat Ram College over Reports of Harassment

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Protests broke out in Daulat Ram College (DRC) as students gathered in large numbers outside the Principal office to protest against the alleged harassment of a minor student by a faculty member.

On 31st January 2018, a complaint was lodged in the Maurice Nagar Police Station against an Ad-Hoc professor of the Political Science Department of Daulat Ram College (DRC), University Of Delhi for allegedly molesting and harassing a minor student.

The student, in her complaint, elucidated that the professor in question would often stare at her and wink during classes. She mentioned that he made lewd remarks and even asked her to join him for a cup of coffee alone during off-days and enquired about her relationship status. “He told me I am looking hot and sexy and then touched me inappropriately and tried to come closer to me,” the student cited in her complaint. Upon refusal from her side on his advances, he threatened to fail her in the internal examinations. The student, who was in her first year of college, was reported to be greatly aggrieved and troubled by this exchange. According to reports, the student was repeatedly told by college authorities to not pursue a legal course of action.

Soon screenshots of the text message exchange between the student and the professor were circulated online in the college groups where they went viral. The students collectively decided to protest this matter to demand immediate action from the college authorities. The student body comprising of over 700 individuals from all departments of the college assembled in front of the administration block of the college at 11:30 AM and shouted slogans in unison like “We want justice”. Several signs and posters were hoisted conveying “We stand together”, “Arrest him, fire him”, “DRC stands against harassment”.

The professor accused was present in the college during this time and quickly retired to the staffroom after a group of girls went to prevent him from taking classes. The protests then began outside the staff room and the students collectively raised slogans and chants.

The Students Union of the college was in communication with the principal of the college and ensured the students that action will be taken against the accused. The basic demand of students was for the speedy arrest and rustication of the accused. The police officials arrived and the professor was escorted to the principal’s office, after which students became a little less agitated.

The principal towards the end addressed the gathering of the students and had an open conversation with them regarding this matter where she ensured and promised the students that the professor in question will not return to the college campus again. She re-iterated that harassment will not be tolerated in the institution and that she will do her best to ensure the well-being of her students.

Nidhi Upadhyay, Vice President, Daulat Ram College congratulated the students on the successful demonstration that was carried out collectively and instructed the gathering to disperse and resume with their classes.

However, after the dispersal of the students, members of Student’s Federation of India (SFI) barged into the college baring their party flags and posters without any permission from the authorities, injuring two female guards in the process. They demanded the establishment of a “GSCASH committee” (Gender Sensitisation Committee against Sexual Harassment). They stipulated to meet with the principal of the college without any prior appointment, however, they were asked to vacate the college premises by teachers and students because of the lack of permission, and by the virtue of DRC being a Non-DUSU (Delhi University Students Union) college.

Feature Image Credits: The Hindu

Bhavya Banerjee

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Kinjal Pandey

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Arts & Culture

Play Review: Old Wives’ Tale

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Old Wives’ Tale by Memesis, the dramatics society of Daulat Ram College, speaks of women empowerment, the making of myths, and ecofeminism.

The University of Delhi’s street theatre and stage plays have prided themselves for the portrayal of thought-provoking and bold theatricals on an array of social and political issues. The all-girls colleges of Delhi University have always championed the cause of female emancipation. Old Wives’ Tale, the latest production of Memesis, the dramatics society of Daulat Ram College, is the newest addition to the ongoing legacy of feminist theatre.

The 45-minute-long production is an adaptation of The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad, the first story from the book of the same name authored by film actress and interior designer, Twinkle Khanna. It tells the story of Lakshmi, a common village girl, who in an attempt to increase the independence of women introduces the idea of planting 10 saplings of mango trees every time a girl child is born. The play encompasses many themes such as domestic abuse, dowry, and female foeticide. It also highlights how myths and rituals are created out of old incidents, and end up becoming a part of the same system of oppression against which they had originally rebelled.

The screenplay is written by the students themselves, and showcases proficient stagecraft. The narration of the story floats effortlessly between the past, present, and future. There are several powerful dialogues dotted across the play. The direction and casting choices are well thought out.
Exchanges between Lakshmi, played by Chavi Sagar, and Sukku, played by Manshi Joshi, are delightful, funny, and convincing. While for the most part the performances are believable, at some points, the acting seems forced as well as amateurish, especially during the second half.

The set and the props are beautifully constructed. There are four to five different backdrops, and the transition from one background to another is smooth, but a few seconds too long. The delay in the setup change interrupted the attention of the audience, who were otherwise immersed in the play.

The makeup and costumes hit the bull’s eye and match the aesthetics immaculately. The lighting, managed by Swaranjali Chaudhary, is perfectly timed. In one particular scene, there are three different arrangements on the stage, all complementing each other due to the lightning, which adds beauty to the scene. Palak Soni skillfully handled the music which complements the plot and tone of the play.

Though I’m glad that I got to watch the play for free, I wouldn’t hesitate to spend my money to buy a ticket for a visual treat like this. Go and watch Old Wives’ Tale in the upcoming fest season, as it will definitely be worth your time.

Image Credits: Niharika Dabral for DU Beat

Niharika Dabral

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Bazinga

Bazinga: Delhi University Accredits Paranormal Forces for Delays and Mishaps

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Many colleges affiliated to the University of Delhi have decided to seek help from professional ghostbusters to combat the frequently occurring mishaps that are causing problems for both, the administration and the students.

In the past few months, University of Delhi has seen increasing incidences of infrastructure failure, administrative delays, and incidents of violence. Recently, a large portion of the plaster fell off from the ceiling in one of the rooms of Hansraj College hostel.  Earlier on 11th August, a section of the newly constructed false ceiling came crashing down in a classroom of the College of Vocational Studies.  Last year too, ceiling collapsed in Daulat Ram College, leaving several students injured.

Considering that these episodes can also be life-threatening, college administrations were severely critiqued for being negligent. Recently in the executive council meeting, all colleges unanimously accredited paranormal forces for causing such mishaps. On the condition of anonymity, a member of the Maintenance Committee of College of Vocational Studies (CVS) said, “The infrastructure of CVS is top notch; there is no carelessness on our part that could cause injury inflicting miscarriages. We strongly suspect some extra-terrestrial forces behind the ceiling collapse.” The executive council of Delhi University has proposed a budget of one crore that should be allotted for hiring professional ghostbusters who will undertake all necessary activities to counter this. The activities are scheduled to take place during the examination break, provided the Finance Committee accepts the proposal and releases funds.

Many people claim that accusing sinister forces of interfering with day-to-day deeds of the Varsity is the administration’s desperate attempt to negate accountability and shift the blame. Addressing these allegations, a member of executive Council resonated, “If you look at the geography of North Campus, you’ll see several landmarks that have a dark history, such as Khooni Jheel and Flagstaff Tower located in the Kamla Nehru Ridge, which is adjacent to the North Campus. It is very much possible that eldritch energies from these places intrude in the campuses.”

Miranda House, one of the most acclaimed colleges of Delhi University has also witnessed eerie occurrences ever since its auditorium, one of the oldest constructions in the college, was closed for renovation work. It has been a while since the auditorium has been undergoing retrofitting, but not much progress has been made. On the condition of anonymity, the official in charge of the renovations told DU Beat that all attempts to develop the work is being vandalized by unknown people. The workers often find their construction gears either missing or damaged. The rumor is that the ghost of English architect Walter Sykes George, who designed Miranda House at its inception, is sabotaging the work because he is not pleased with the new design of the auditorium.

Whether or not the rumors have any substance or they are simply an excuse meted by the officials to distract attention from their failures is for people to decide, depending on whatever they want to believe in.

Feature Image Credits: Shutterstock
Niharika Dabral

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Admissions 2017

First cut-off, last day: Admission procedure strains on Daulat Ram College

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On the last Wednesday of June, tensions rose and confusion ensued as the police was called in to Daulat Ram College to assuage the worried applicants. June 28th marked the last day for applicants to enrol in college under the first cut-off list, and some candidates were denied admission to the college due to a lack of availability of seats.

Admission denied

According to some student testimonials, applicants wishing to pursue B.A. Programme were prohibited from entering the college as the authorities claimed that the seats were full. These candidates had cleared the cut-off and fulfilled all eligibility requirements, and as per the varsity’s rule, were entitled to secure a seat in the college.

While the University has a prescribed number of seats for admission into various courses, there is no bar on the number of students who actually register and confirm admission under a certain list. Moreover, as the undergraduate portal was riddled with technical glitches, several students were unable to obtain the acknowledgment slip of a college on the first day. Students also often wait till the last day of a cut-off list to weigh in the college options available to them, and to clarify the Best of Four requirements. The time frame allocated to a cut-off list allows every student who meets the criteria to secure a seat in a given college, without any counter policy.

Intervention by ABVP and DUSU

The situation scaled when volunteers of the RSS-affiliated student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), intervened on behalf of the aggrieved students. The Delhi University Students’ Union’s President Amit Tanwar expressed his dismay at the erroneous decision on the college’s part. He said, “According to the University rules, all students who clear the cut-offs are to be admitted. There is no first come, first serve policy. Several applicants had come to seek admission today [on Wednesday] as it was the last day to do so under the first cut-off list. They were, however, told that the seats were full. This caused panic.” As the agitation transferred from the applicants to the student leaders, the police were asked to step in.

The college has lodged a complaint at the Maurice Nagar police station against the ABVP, DUSU, and parents who allegedly manhandled the Principal, along with vandalising her office. The Principal, Ms Savita Roy, claimed that the ABVP and DUSU members entered her office without permission and misbehaved with her. The complaint filed proclaimed that, “They used abusive language, manhandled me, and threatened me with dire consequences if I did not admit the students.” She also added that the crowd refused to send a representation of two people despite her request. An FIR has been filed against six persons who were involved in the scene, and the Principal has requested police protection to continue with the admission process.

However, these allegations have been refuted by the ABVP as an “excuse” by the administration, and are being labelled as an “arbitrary denial.” Tanwar adds, “The parents of students, who were confused after being denied admission even after the verification of documents, approached the ABVP and DUSU members. All of them went to the administration to ask why were they denied admission.” A student from DRC spoke to DU Beat and confirmed the refusal of admission, and also added that the teacher coordinators for the admission process refused to allow a student to opt for B.A. Programme on account of the lack of seats, and continued to “misguide” her by advising her to enrol in other courses. She said that the ABVP proceeded to help the student who had to bear the brunt of the commotion. However, she claimed that members of the ABVP and DUSU barged in the college and misbehaved with the officials.

Authorities’ stance

A senior member of the administration said that the college complied with the admission process of all candidates who met the cut-off requirements after the ABVP volunteers barged in. However, the number of seats would act as a hindrance for them to undertake the subject-combination of their choice.

According to sources, a committee was set up to look into this issue.

Daulat Ram has set the cut-off for B.A. Programme at 91% this year, a lower number as compared to other North Campus colleges. An all girls’ college, it offers 169 seats for the course. The next cut-off list is scheduled to be announced by the midnight of June 30th.

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Saumya Kalia
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Daulat Ram College

Admit Card Blunder Leaves Students Miffed

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Many students studying Journalism Honours and Psychology Honours under CBCS guidelines received information about the Skill Enhancement Course’s external and internal assessments’ final marks distribution from their college’s faculty members close to the date of their final examination. With the dates of receiving this information varying in different colleges, students from Journalism Honours in Kamala Nehru College (KNC) learnt about the same from their teachers hours before their examination. Interestingly, the confusion of the Psychology Honours’ batch of Daulat Ram College (DRC) was clarified only upon receiving the question paper.

The discrepancy was found out in various colleges upon receiving the admit card. Students of Journalism Honours in KNC and Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) found a 50-50 marks distribution for external and practical assessment for SEC in their admit cards. While KNC students had been studying the course keeping the 50-50 distribution in mind, LSR students were uncertain as they had been following the 75-25 marks distribution, with 25 being allotted for internal assessment. Students from other colleges also underwent similar confusion. “Our admit cards said that the SEC paper that was documentary production would be of 50 marks. But the paper actually was for 75 marks.”, said Aditya, a Journalism Honours student from DCAC.

The situation varied across different colleges and different departments. In certain colleges, the final distribution came to the students’ knowledge quite late, while in certain colleges like Indraprastha College for Women (IPCW), there had been no discrepancy about the same neither in the admit cards, nor with the faculty.

The entire situation around the distribution of marks created confusion and hustle among students. “We were pretty confused since we didn’t know how the marks would be divided and how we are supposed to answer had it been for 50 marks.”, said Utkarsha, a Psychology Honours student from Daulat Ram College, where no clarification from the faculty had been received regarding the SEC Emotional Intelligence paper.

DU Beat reached out to faculty members, but received no comments from their end. There is still uncertainty whether the discrepancy had been for the Journalism Honours and Psychology Honours courses only.

Such action by the college administration as well as the faculty members makes us question whether the students’ best interests are really at heart. After all the formalities and unnecessary steps the students are forced to go through to receive their admit cards, such a massive error with regards to the marks distribution is a careless mistake by the authorities. Students who prepared accordingly, having faith in the college administration and the teachers, were shocked on the day of the examination. With all the buzz around exams and the pressure on students, why was this matter handled so inadequately by the authorities?

 

Priyal Mahtta
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