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Fraternity Movement, Delhi University released a statement on 19th September 2024, condemning the actions of NSUI members for confiscating and ripping the nomination form of their candidate, Yaseen K. Muhammad, in front of the DSW office gate. Representatives of the NSUI have declined to address the matter or refute the accusations.

On Thursday, 19th September 2024, Fraternity Movement Delhi University released a statement alleging that the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) “goondas” forcibly confiscated and tore the nomination form of their candidate, Yaseen K. Muhammad, right outside the gate of Dean Students Welfare (DSW), Conference Centre, University of Delhi. This happened in front of the police officers and security guards, who refused to do anything and played mere spectators to the incident. The NSUI members have refused to comment on the issue and ignored the texts and calls asking them to deny or accept the allegations.

Yaseen K. Muhammad, in conversation with DU Beat, spoke about the incident:

“It was very terrifying that day. On the way to submit my nomination, I entered through gate no. 4 of the University of Delhi, Botany Department. As I entered gate no. 4, my documents were checked by the ABVP and NSUI members. They don’t have any right to check my papers, but they still checked my papers in front of the police and other security guards. I got the entry after their verification, and I went straight to the DSW office, where the nominations were to be submitted. At the gate to the DSW office, while I was stating my name and other details to the security guard, a NSUI cadre snatched my nomination form in front of everyone and tore it. To not leave any evidence, the person put the pieces of my nomination form in their pocket. All the high-ranking police officials and security guards surrounding us did not protect me, nor did they stop the NSUI members from snatching and tearing my nomination form.”

Interestingly, Yaseen had contested for the position of Vice President in the 2023 DUSU elections. However, his nomination form was rejected due to some discrepancies related to the documents. In the official statement, released on their Instagram page, Fraternity Movement, Delhi University stated:

“In an attempt to undermine the democratic process and avoid the consequences of a potential defeat in the DUSU elections, NSUI goondas restored to obstructive tactics by forcibly confiscating the nomination papers of Fraternity Movement candidates as they were en route to file them. These actions escalated further as the miscreants unlawfully entered the election commission office, endangering vital election documents. Alarmingly, the election commission showed no intention to intervene, effectively enabling these anti-democratic manoeuvres. This organised disruption by NSUI, driven by fear of losing the ideological contest, seeks to derail the electoral process.”

The DU Beat team tried to approach the NSUI members several times; however, the texts and calls were initially ignored. An NSUI member denied commenting on the issue by stating that he was out of station and refused to get us in contact with any other NSUI member who could speak on the issue. After multiple attempts, we briefly reached another representative. However, the call was cut short with a statement indicating a willingness to speak later. Despite follow-up efforts, no further communication was received by the time of the publication of the report.

A 2nd-year university student who accompanied Yaseen to the DSW office alleged that:

“While our candidate was allowed only one supporter to enter, the place was filled with ABVP and NSUI members and their supporters. If I am not mistaken, Abhi Dahiya (Vice President DUSU) was present there when one of his cadres snatched and tore the nomination form of our candidate. I have only had a year participating in all of this election fiasco, but I am very sure that NSUI members were the ones who ripped off Yaseen’s form.”

As of the latest updates, Yaseen will not be able to stand up for the position of secretary due to not being able to submit his nomination form. The Fraternity Movement movement, in their official statement, has demanded an extension of the nomination deadline and accountability for the perpetrators. However, the Delhi University authorities have not condemned nor released any statements regarding the incident.

Featured Image: Arush for DU Beat

Reeba Khan

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Despite its high brand value, DU’s limited financial aid creates a privilege bias, preventing many talented students from middle and lower-class backgrounds from participating in international competitions. The Dean Students’ Welfare has existed since years, but how much of ‘actual welfare’ has it offered to the students in need?

Founded in 1922, the University of Delhi has evolved through various eras since its inception. The education system has modernized, with the university keeping up with updates like the implementation of the NEP. However, outdated traditions and a lack of liberal mindset still prevents a lot of students from pursuing and succeeding in competitions they only can dream of. While the authorities celebrate university’s major jump to 328th position in the QS World Universities rankings, a lot of cards are still left to be explored. Research plays an integral part when it comes to university rankings. But are the students on campus receiving the benefits and research opportunities they really wish to pursue?

My own experience illustrates the broader issue of inadequate financial aid at DU. In July 2024, I received an acceptance letter to HPAIR’ 24 Asia Conference (Harvard Project on Asian and International Relations). Lacking a dedicated funding cell in my college (ILC, Faculty of Law), I sought assistance from the Dean Students’ Welfare (DSW). Unfortunately, the officials informed me that no financial aid was available,

We don’t have any such provisions for funding students.

The situation becomes even more significant to address when almost Rs. 16,980 are being extracted as the “University Welfare Fund” and Rs. 10,000 are extracted as “Faculty/ Department/ Student Welfare Fund” (According to the prospectus of BA/BBA LLB 2023-24). As a law student in the five-year integrated program, it was shocking to find when the application for financial aid was rejected, with the department citing a lack of provision for funding university students. Ironically, despite extracting substantial amounts from student fees, the department has not yet established a scheme to provide financial assistance to students. Another student from Faculty of Law adds,

As per my knowledge, there is no source of funding here in Faculty of Law. There is a common budget that DU divides amongst its colleges which is further distributed among the college societies and administration. We hardly get anything.

Similar observations can be noticed in the case of Faculty of Technology where students pursuing B.Tech are paying the same amount for welfare fund.

It is well-known that student societies and cells at DU often struggle with insufficient funding. As a result, these societies often have to rely on their own initiatives, such as hosting inter-college competitions and conferences to raise funds for annual events. On speaking to a few students and alumni of Delhi University, results reveal how the majority doesn’t even know what DSW is.

Is this something that exists in every college? To be honest, I didn’t even know that something like that exists. As far as competitions and events are concerned, we don’t receive any financial aid from JMC.

-Anonymous (Jesus and Mary College)

While colleges like Hindu have established scholarships for academic achievers, support for competitions and events remains limited.

No, the college doesn’t have a separate society that looks over financial aid for students and we did not reach out to DSW for any help regarding the same.

-Jogaram, a student from Hindu College

While some colleges do offer financial aid, the question remains: Is this support genuinely effective, or is it merely a facade of administrative formality?

Venky has a financial cell, though I don’t know its name. We didn’t need to approach the dean; a Google form was circulated for the application. The freeship is granted based solely on financial conditions such as family income and the death of a father, so there is no competitive process. A friend of mine received the aid, but only half of the fee was waived—despite having no father. The assistance ranged from 30-45% based only on family income.

-Azmat, a student from Sri Venkateswara College

Research is a crucial factor in university rankings. Delhi University, with its diverse student body, faces a pressing need to enhance financial support tailored to the specific requirements of each academic discipline. Law students encounter substantial costs for participating in international moot court and negotiation competitions, while commerce students require significant funding for start-ups, incubation programs, and other competitions. Each academic discipline has specific financial requirements. In enabling students to achieve global recognition and enhance the university’s prestige, Delhi University still struggles to provide adequate financial aid and support mechanisms to students.

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Samvardhan Tiwari

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