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DU Cancels a Seminar from DSE’s Longest-Running Colloquiums, Convenor Resigns

By DU Beat October 31, 2025

Delhi University abruptly cancelled a long-standing DSE Sociology colloquium on ‘Land, Property and Democratic Rights’ citing “administrative reasons.” The move prompted convenor Nandini Sundar’s resignation and sparked criticism over academic freedom, contrasting with DU’s promotion of the ‘Rashtriya Godhan Summit’ focusing on cow-based innovations.

A seminar titled ‘Land, Property and Democratic Rights’ which was scheduled to be held today, 31st October, Friday, at 3 p.m. as part of the Department of Sociology’s ‘Friday Colloquium’ series at the M N Srinivas Seminar Room in DSE—was arbitrarily cancelled by the University of Delhi’s administration without any formal reason. This academic seminar is known to be part of one of the longest-running colloquiums at the Delhi School of Economics (DSE). As reported by The Wire, the direction to cancel the event came in a WhatsApp message from the DU registrar, Vikas Gupta, to the head of the Sociology department:

“Good Morning Ma’am. Due to administrative reasons, please cancel the lecture programme scheduled for Friday the 31st October 2025. A compliance report may also be submitted immediately. Thanks.. Regards…Vikas”

Sociologist Nandini Sundar, the convenor of the colloquium, expressed her dissent on Facebook with a post that read, “ Since I can no longer guarantee the intellectual integrity of the research colloquium and that it will not be cancelled arbitrarily at the last minute, I have resigned as convenor of the colloquium.” Her post further read that,

No reasons for the cancellation were given, in writing or otherwise, so we can only speculate that the RSS-led government is scared of any discussion around land and democratic rights.

The severity of the issue and her distress over not paying heed to the sanctity of the event was seen as she further wrote,

“ The Friday Colloquium is among the oldest institutions of the Department of Sociology, at the Delhi School of Economics, and has functioned independently through the Emergency and all the other decades since the department was set up. The colloquium is not like any other seminar being cancelled – something we have sadly become inured to in the last decade. It was part of our teaching practice and graduate students are required to attend. It was a space for serious discussion where our students interacted with some very fine minds, and speakers came away impressed by the quality of our students.”

On this, Vice chancellor Yogesh Singh told the Indian Express that,

“We have cancelled the event because no prior permission was taken (by the department). The university has no problem with the tradition of the colloquium being followed… we just wanted to be informed.”

During this, DU directed college principals to share with faculty members and students the details of the ‘Rashtriya Godhan Summit’, a five-day event focused on the “welfare of cows and promotion of cow-based sustainable innovations”. The contrast between the two communications “highlights a conscious move away from scientific temper and academic integrity towards the promotion of an unscientific and regressive political agenda,” said Abha Dev Habib, professor, Miranda House, as reported by The Hindu.

Image Credits: Nikita Bhatia (2017 report), DU Beat

Shreya Bhushan

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Campus Central

DUSU Executive Committee Dates Released

By DU Beat October 30, 2025

The dates and guidelines regarding the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) Executive Committee (EC) nominations were released recently in an official notice issued by the election officer.

DUSU Executive Committee Election dates were released by Delhi University in an announcement on 27th October, 2025. The notice, issued by the election officer, Prof. Raj Kishor Sharma, outlines the dates and the deadlines for the receipt of nomination papers, their scrutiny, and publication, as well as their withdrawal, providing a thorough understanding of the electoral timelines.

In accordance to the notice, the nomination papers will be received latest by Thursday, 6th November, 2025, till 2:00 pm, and their scrutiny will take place on the same day as well at 2:30 pm. The publication of the final list of nominated candidates is scheduled to go up at 5:00 pm on the same day. The announcement further states that the withdrawal of the nominations will be permitted till 12:00 noon of the next day, i.e., 7th November, 2025 and the publication of the final list will be released at 2:00 pm of that day.

The final election will be conducted on 14th of November, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Office of the Election Officer Conference Centre.

The notice further stated that the counting of votes will begin post polling, i.e., 2:30pm. Entry will be provided for the scrutiny of nomination papers only in the post-production of the gate pass issued by the election office and verified by the principal and the Head of the Institution concerned. Withdrawal forms will be accepted only on the account of them being submitted in person by the candidate concerned.

The notice ended with an emphasis on the importance of always carrying the identity card issued by the department/institution/college that he/she belongs to.

Featured Image Source: Instagram

Ananya Agarwal

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Campus Central

Stalker Attacks Lakshmibai College Student

By DU Beat October 26, 2025

A Delhi University student, reportedly enrolled in NCWEB, was injured in an acid attack near Lakshmibai College on Sunday morning, allegedly carried out by a stalker from her neighbourhood along with two accomplices.

A 20-year-old Delhi University second-year student sustained burn injuries in an acid attack near Lakshmibai College, Ashok Vihar, around 10 a.m. on Sunday. According to police, the victim, a resident of Mukundpur, was on her way to the college for an extra class when the incident occurred just a short distance away. She managed to shield her face, but the acid burnt part of her hands.

The incident came to light after the police received a call from the hospital. Delhi Police spokesperson said that based on the victim’s statement, a case has been registered and a search for the accused has been launched.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the main accused, Jitender, who was an acquaintance of the victim, arrived at the crime spot on a motorcycle with two others, Ishaan and Armaan. “Ishaan handed over a bottle to Armaan, who threw acid on her,” the police statement said. The three fled immediately after the attack.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhisham Singh, said, “On inquiry, the victim stated that she is a second-year student and had gone to Laxmibai College, Ashok Vihar, for an extra class. While she was walking towards the college, a man named Jitender came on a bike with his friends Ishaan and Armaan. Ishan allegedly handed over a bottle to Armaan, who threw acid on the woman. The victim tried to protect her face but sustained injuries on both hands. The accused fled the spot.”

Police said Jitender, who also lives in the Mukundpur area, had been harassing and stalking the woman for some time and had grown hostile following a quarrel a month ago. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory inspected the scene, and CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being examined. Police teams are conducting raids to trace the accused.

The victim was first taken to Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital and later shifted to RML Hospital. Doctors confirmed that her injuries were not life-threatening.

A senior officer from Ashok Vihar police station said,

The victim has shown remarkable courage. She shielded herself and survived what could have been far worse.”

Image Credit: India Today

Image Caption: Victim sustained burns on her hand while protecting her face.

Anjali Kumari Jha

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Campus Central

Chhath Puja Excluded From Delhi University Holiday Calendar Despite Delhi Govt Declaration, Again.

By DU Beat October 26, 2025

On Friday, the Delhi Government declared Chhath Puja on 27th October to be a public holiday. However, Delhi University has not declared an official holiday, sparking student outrage. While some colleges like Sri Venkateswara have offered academic leniency, the broader university administration remains unresponsive.

Chhath Puja, a government holiday, as declared by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has yet again, been disregarded by the Delhi University, stirring up major discontent and controversy. While the capital city will be observing a holiday on 27th October, i.e., Monday, which marks the third and most important day of the festival, the Delhi University administration has retained the occasion in its list of restricted holidays, and has despite past outrage and a government-mandated closure of holidays, not kept it a holiday for its students.

Chhath Puja is widely celebrated across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh by worshipping the Sun God or ‘Chhathi Maiya’. The Chief Minister, in her declaration, said, “Through the worship of the Sun and Chhathi Maiya, Chhath conveys a message of purity, environmental protection and gratitude towards nature.” The erstwhile Delhi CM Atishi had declared a similar government holiday last year as well.

This year, the official University mid-semester Diwali break was scheduled from 19th October till the 26th of October—incorporating Chhath Puja within this break would simply mean extending the holiday just by one day. This remains one of the major points of contention amongst University students celebrating the festivity as a 3rd year points out,

I’m really disappointed that DU didn’t consider extending the holidays for Chhath Puja. It’s such an important festival for so many of us from Bihar and Eastern UP, and most of us travel back home just for these few days. One extra day would’ve made a huge difference because the travel itself takes so long. It feels like the university doesn’t really understand how significant this festival is for us emotionally and culturally.”

Such outrage has previously been noted amongst the students on multiple other occasions, such as on Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti earlier in the month, which was an officially declared public holiday by the Delhi Government.

However, classes for most Delhi University colleges were not officially cancelled. Students have argued that since DU is a Central University, and thus comes under the jurisdiction of the Central Government, it is unfair to assume that classes would be cancelled for the University. Despite this, students who have celebrated the Chhath Festival throughout their lives are disappointed towards the lack of sensitivity of the University administration and their inactivity in recognising and encouraging inclusivity for students of all backgrounds.

“A one-day extension would have shown some inclusivity towards students who celebrate Chhath. It’s a big deal back home for us,” a second-year Delhi University student said,

It’s unfair that so many of us have to miss the celebration this year because classes resume immediately. Even a single-day extension would’ve allowed us to be with our families without worrying about the travel or attendance, especially when fulfilling the attendance criteria is imperative.”

This is not to say that all colleges within DU are completely indifferent to this public holiday declaration. The administration of Sri Venkateswara College has informed its faculty that no class tests, assignment submissions or practical tests are to be scheduled between the 27th and 31st of October, “to ensure that students are able to participate in the festive celebrations without academic inconvenience”, as intimated through an email that was sent to the teachers. A post by DUTODAY mentioned that many colleges across Delhi University are expected to adopt similar measures, subject to the respective departments and colleges.

Image source: The Indian Express

Manya Marwah

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Campus Central

Teachers’ Bodies Demand Action After Alleged Assault on DU Professor by DUSU Joint Secretary

By DU Beat October 26, 2025

DUSU Joint Secretary Deepika Jha allegedly slapped Professor Sujit Kumar at Dr. B.R.Ambedkar College, prompting outrage from teachers’ associations, police investigation, and a DU-appointed six-member committee to probe the assault.

On 16th October, Deepika Jha, the Joint Secretary of DUSU (Delhi University Students’ Union) of the current term, was seen slapping Professor Sujit Kumar, a senior teacher of Bhim Rao Ambedkar College of Delhi University. The incident occurred at the principal’s office in the presence of the police.

Professor V.S. Negi, the President of DUTA, in his letter requesting a General Body Meeting after the autumn vacation, stated that,

This incident has rattled the entire university and is an assault on the dignity of teachers and other stakeholders of the teaching-learning process in Delhi University. Teachers from across the country too have expressed their shock and indignation.

The letter further stated that DUTA’s effort to call for a flash protest on the 17th is simply not enough, in addition to the lack of a public addressing system.

Several organisations, including the Common Teachers’ Front, Democratic Teachers’ Front, Democratic Teachers’ Initiative, INTEC (I), Rashtriya Shiksha Morcha, and Samajwadi Shikshak Manch, have come together to demand a DUTA GBM on the 16th October physical assault on teachers.

The letter further stated,

It is shocking that the perpetrators of this act of violence are acting with total impunity. Encouraged by the fact that no action has been taken against them, they are making public statements maligning the teachers and creating a false narrative of the incident. Meanwhile, the affected teachers wait for justice.

The letter saw signatories from various organisations, including the Common Teachers’ Forum (CTF), Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF), Delhi Teachers’ Initiative (DTI), Rashtriya Shiksha Morcha (RSM), and Samajwadi Shikshak Manch (SSM).

A senior police officer confirmed that a complaint has been received and the matter is under investigation.

We received the complaint late in the evening. The video has been seen by investigators. They are obtaining CCTV footage now. The matter is being enquired into.

The University of Delhi has formed a six-member inquiry committee to investigate the alleged assault. The committee will be chaired by Professor Neeta Sehgal of the Department of Zoology. Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh said the panel has been directed to submit its report within two weeks. Other members of the committee include Professor Jyoti Trehan Sharma, Joint Proctor (Member Secretary); Professor Rama, Principal of Hansraj College; Professor Swati Diwakar from Environmental Studies; Professor Darvinder Kumar, Principal of PGDAV College; and Awadhesh Kumar, Joint Proctor

Image Credits- The Indian Express

Also Read – Crisis Erupts at SAU: Students Protest After Alleged Gang Rape

Divyanshi Dusad
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Arts & Culture

New Safety Guidelines issued by DU Administration amid Festival Season

By DU Beat October 10, 2025

Delhi University, known for its vibrant fests and celebration of music, art, culture, and connections, has issued safety guidelines for campus events to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of college festivals during the festival season.

Delhi University, on Wednesday. issued a new advisory for “safe, smooth and orderly conduct of events and gatherings”. As part of the new framework, two liaison officers must be appointed by the University—one for the North Campus and one for the South Campus. Every college conducting an event is required to assign its own liaison officer for proper management and crowd control. The officer must be available at all times and share essential details of the event with the local police prior to its commencement.

Additionally , every event is required to have a first aid kit, a static ambulance, and fire safety measures in place within the college, hostel, or designated venue. Events should have separate entry and exit gates for VIPs and general attendees, with contingency routes planned.

CCTVs are mandated at gates, along with trained security guards and bouncers in sufficient numbers to ensure the safety of all participants. The advisory reiterates that the sole responsibility for the conduct and management of events rests with the respective college or institution.

“Delhi Police, as part of its mandate, is tasked with maintaining overall law and order and not providing security cover to private events.”

In addition, the advisory mandates social media transparency. It requires the colleges to provide detailed online notices specifying event timings, passes, traffic arrangements, and other logistics to avoid confusion.

This notice has been released following the security breaches and gate-crashing incidents at events that happened in Miranda House in 2022, as well as the harassment of students after walls were scaled at Indraprastha College for Women.

Delhi University officials have clarified that these measures are not intended to dampen the student experience but to create a secure, safe, and inclusive environment.

Featured Image source: Hindustan Times

Ananya Agarwal

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Campus Central

DU VC calls Arundhati Roy’s remarks ‘hate speech’ at Law Faculty event

By DU Beat October 9, 2025

Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh, at a Law Faculty event on hate speech, cited author Arundhati Roy’s past remarks on the Indian state as an example of divisive rhetoric, urging intellectuals to avoid such statements.

At an event on “Hate Speech and Electoral Politics in India” held at Delhi University’s Faculty of Law on 7th October, Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh cited author Arundhati Roy’s past remarks about the Indian state as an example of hate speech. The event, organised to explore how language shapes public opinion and political narratives, became notable for Singh’s strong comments on what he viewed as harmful rhetoric from public intellectuals.

Quoting from one of Roy’s older speeches, Singh referred to her statement describing India as a “perpetually upper-caste Hindu state” that has been “at war with its own people” since Independence. In her speech, Roy had listed conflicts in Kashmir, Manipur, Nagaland, Punjab, Goa, Telangana, and other regions as evidence of this claim.

Singh remarked these statements as a pure definition of hate speech. Adding that such comments “pollute children and citizens’ minds because these statements are made from a very selective perspective.”

He further stated that public figures and intellectuals should avoid such statements since they influence young people and shape the discourse in ways that can harm national unity.

Singh said that hate speech often emerges from the public’s own biases and attitudes. “Politicians think that if they make hate speech, they will get more votes. Is it their fault or ours?” he asked the audience, noting that electoral incentives play a major role in normalising such rhetoric.

“We all should keep in mind that politicians are the smartest people in the country. They know the pulse of the people. If they realise they will not get votes by making hate speech, they will stop making such speeches.”

Image Credits: News18

Juhi Bansal

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DUB News

Kerala Students at DU Allege Police Brutality and Humiliation After Clash near Red Fort

By DU Beat October 3, 2025

Two Kerala students from Delhi University alleged mob assault, police brutality, cultural humiliation, and extortion near the Red Fort. MP John Brittas demanded an inquiry, while police cited contradictory hawker testimonies disputing claims.

Two students from Kerala were subjected to violence and false accusations of theft last week near the Red Fort area. These students were from their 1st year of undergraduate studies at Delhi University’s Zakir Hussain Delhi College. Taking action on the incident, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written to Satish Golcha, Delhi Police Commissioner. He demanded an investigation into what he termed “an inhuman attack, custodial assault and cultural humiliation”.

The letter stated that the students – identified as Aswanth I T and Sudhin K – were rudely confronted by a group of scoundrels on September 24th and falsely accused of theft. The letter alleged,

Instead of extending protection, the policemen colluded with the mob… The students were dragged, beaten with fibre lathis, stomped upon, stripped and humiliated in the most degrading manner.”

The letter further informed that their footwear and phones were seized non-consensually. They were allegedly coerced into false confessions, and one of them was mocked for wearing a mundu, a traditional Kerala attire. The MP described the incident as “custodial brutality” and an “affront to the cultural and linguistic diversity enshrined in our Constitution.” The CPI(M) MP demanded a robust inquiry to find the culprits as well as the return of the belongings of the victims.

Police have responded by stating that an inquiry has been enforced based on the allegations. However, they have been presented with different and contradictory testimonies of the incident. DCP (North) Raja Banthia said,

We have ordered an enquiry into their allegations. However, hawkers have alleged that they came five-six days ago and purchased goods worth Rs 14,000. They paid Rs 4,000 in cash and showed an online payment of Rs 10,000, which was not actually made. When they came again on the 24th, the hawkers identified them, and a scuffle took place.”

Some hawkers brought the two students to the Red Fort police after allegedly thrashing them in the market, according to a source of the police. DCP Banthia said,

“The matter was settled, and both parties left. There was no PCR call or complaint or any representation to supervisory officers regarding this incident by the two students. As far as the allegations of beating by police personnel are concerned, nothing has been substantiated till now. But we are further enquiring into the matter”

However, Sudhin, one of the victims, has another side to tell:

Instead of helping us, he slapped both of us multiple times and made us sit on our knees in front of all the people. He took my friend’s phone and gave it to the locals. My friend’s phone was an iPhone, and he tried to take back the phone and run, but he was beaten a lot and dragged to a police booth.”

He further added, “Another police officer, an ASI [assistant sub-inspector], started hitting us. He removed our lungi and started hitting us and kicking us on our faces and private parts with his boots. We have been in Delhi for a month and did not know Hindi very well.” He said that when his friend struggled to speak, the ASI kicked him, saying, “Talk in Hindi,” Mr Sudhin said. “It is still difficult for him to eat food even now.” He said the police officers at the booth also made fun of them for wearing lungis.

Mr Sudhin was allegedly tortured at the police booth and was coerced into accepting the charges and making a settlement of Rs. 20,000.

Image Source– Just Dial

Divyanshi Dusad

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Campus Central

Miranda House Students Repeatedly Face Safety Issues Due to DUSU Elections

By DU Beat September 28, 2025

While DUSU elections are indicative of a vibrant political culture all over campus, they have also led to safety concerns over and over again, especially for students of girls’ colleges such as Miranda House.

Year after year, the Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) elections create an increasingly unsafe environment in university areas, especially for women. This year, once again, Miranda House students allegedly faced several instances of catcalling, harassment, and invasion of personal space by campaigneers affiliated with the various student political parties.

It was noticed that cars belonging to members of student parties were parked in a line in front of the Miranda House college campus, in addition to other areas in North Campus. This year, the gate most accessible by foot to the metro had been closed off for the pre-election and election time period by the college, citing security concerns. This obligated the students to take the long route to the metro station from the front gate. A student clarified,

It became really inconvenient for us—we had to walk through all the ABVP and NSUI party members who hung and drove around in groups, which became really uncomfortable at times. Even taking a rickshaw wasn’t an option sometimes due to the heavy traffic caused by their cars. This became especially bad in the week before DUSU elections took place.”

Several instances of Miranda House students being stalked, catcalled, and teased around and during the time of this year’s DUSU elections were recorded. Another mentioned;

On 14 September, when campaigning was in full swing, my friend and I were walking towards the Arts Faculty when a huge group of burly men gathered around us. They whistled at us, heckled us, and stared at us from head to toe. We were petrified and somehow made it out from there.

Miranda House College is no stranger to such incidents. During the 2023 DUSU elections, around 30 men allegedly affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) entered the all-girls’ college campus without permission, and reportedly disrupted classes, created chaos and made the students feel uncomfortable. The college’s guidelines, in accordance with the University’s, regarding DUSU campaigning inside the college campus allow for only up to five people, including the candidate themselves, to enter the college premises at a time, that too with valid ID cards and permission from the principal and the police.

However, despite these rules, the next year saw a similar incident taking place, namely during the 2024 DUSU elections. This time, the former DUSU president Ronak Khatri, and the then presidential candidate for NSUI, reportedly broke the college gates and entered the premises forcefully, once again creating a hostile environment for the students.

The Miranda House campus has long been a space where women felt safe from transgression and obscenity, a principle which seems to be violated almost every year during the election season. This year, many students, both day scholars and pg-renters, even asked for classes to be cancelled around the election day, giving safety issues as a reason.

Image Credits: Free Press Journal

Manya Marwah
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Campus Central

From Lecture Halls to Delhi High Court: DU’s Bribery Scandal Ends in Justice

By DU Beat September 18, 2025

The Delhi High Court in a ruling upheld the termination of a faculty member accused of seeking bribes at Delhi University. Amid concerns for students’ welfare and academic fairness, the decision by Delhi High Court brings relief to many.

In an order passed on September 12, Justice Jasmeet Singh rejected the plea filed by Thelma J. Talloo, a former Reader in the Commerce Department at Jesus and Mary College (JMC), who had challenged a 2012 arbitral award delivered by the Appeals Committee of the DU regarding her termination.

The proceedings date back to 2008 when allegations surfaced that Dr. Talloo solicited cash, a cellphone, diamond earrings, and a saree from students for manipulating their academic records and attendance. The accused denied the charges, blaming personal vendetta and even questioned the authenticity of audio evidence presented by the students. She added that the students used to mock her during classes and when she reprimanded them, they accused her of bribery in exchange for academic favours to defame her. Additionally, she alleged that the college’s inquiry was biased and she was denied a fair defence and proper legal representation.

In response, the college and university formed an inquiry committee, followed by an appeals committee. Both committees, after conducting disciplinary proceedings, found her guilty of misconduct. However, while upholding the charges, the appeals committee reduced the penalty from dismissal to termination so she could still receive her retirement benefits.

Dr. Talloo challenged this decision through a petition in the Delhi High Court, contending procedural unfairness and disputing the incriminating evidence. However, Justice Jasmeet Singh dismissed her plea, affirming that the demand for illegal gratification struck at the very core of academic ethics and integrity,

In view of the matter, the proceedings were fair, the findings are supported by evidence and the penalty has already been tempered by leniency. Hence, under Section 34 of the Act, no ground for setting aside or further modification of the award is made out by the petitioner.”

The court’s decision sends a stern message emphasizing zero tolerance towards corruption in educational institutions. It is now incumbent upon educators, administrators, and society to ensure that merit and honesty define the path for future generations.

Read Also: The Beats of DU-Special Buses

Image Source – India Legal

Arshia Sharma

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