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The Luxury of Riding a Cycle Rickshaw

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With a lot of us using public transport to commute daily for college and to other places we go to, we sometimes take these for granted and fail to see the little bundle of happiness that the public system of transport is.

“Metro se Kaun-Kaun jayega?” (Who all will take the metro back home?) is a question that is very common in the college campuses of the University of Delhi. Whether you might be a student from the Delhi NCR region or somebody who lives away from college intentionally to save some money, we all have used the Delhi Metro a lot. And certainly, the Delhi Metro has had a lot of importance in the daily lives of Delhiites, but it’s not like all the colleges are at a walking distance from their closest metro station. Thankfully we have a lot of public transport facilities available to make that small commute easier, in the forms of E-Rickshaws or Auto Rickshaws. But there exists another form of transportation that maybe has gone oblivious with the fast moving world, that is the quintessential ‘Cycle Rickshaw’.

Cycle rickshaws are the type of three wheeler public transport which is structured a lot like any other type of rickshaw, except it is pulled by cycle like mechanism and is powered by a human! Look at it this way, a human, in the 21st century, willingly pulling a cycle rickshaw for you and doing so much hard work just to earn some money. It almost sad but remains a living reality of a large part of India.

It is truly ironical that such a cheap luxury is available to us and still we rarely ever use it. Since the cycle rickshaws are a dying industry, it is mostly run by fairly old men and it is heartbreaking to see an old person doing the hard work for you. When asked, they simply smile and reply something along the lines of “Beta abb toh aadat si ho gayi hai” (Oh child. Now,I am used to it). And truly, these rickshaw pullers would be one of the fittest people you would ever meet.

Cycle rickshaws were initially a very big part of our childhood as well, from fighting with our cousins to sit at the back of the small seat to sometimes even asking the rickshaw puller if we could pull it; even seeing a cycle rickshaw can sometimes bring back the most beautiful memories and one can simply forget all the worries of life with a ride. But they need not be restricted to just reliving old memories, they can also be used to create new ones. Cycle rickshaws are perfect to ride with dates; they are silent, eco-friendly and some of them can only carry two adults at a time; the perfect kind of privacy you need! Not just that, they are versatile because one can enjoy cool breeze without its overhead roof and can also protect oneself from the sun with its adjustable roof, sort of like a sports car; which makes it a luxury in another aspect!

Cycle rickshaws have a beauty of their own in terms of aesthetics and one can enjoy life at its slow pace while enjoying this modern day luxury. One can also learn a lot from a simple conversation with any rickshaw puller because they have a lot of experience and a simple act of kindness brings upon such a big smile on their face, it certainly lights up one’s day.

 

Feature Image Credits: Deewanshi Vats for DU Beat

Akshat Arora

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Writing’s on the wall: the walls of North Campus

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Every aspect of North Campus has its own story to tell. Just take the walls for instance; there is something or the other stuck, painted, splattered on these walls that are bound to catch your eye.

One can begin their “Dilli Deewar Darshan” with a common Delhi University thing i.e. student politics. Take the left or the right, various shades of political opinion are expressed on the bricks that form the foundations of several colleges and lanes. This definitely includes the posters and bills featuring quirky close-up photographs with loud fancy fonts. Even before a fresher gets to know about parties like ABVP and NSUI, he will know who is Rocky Tuseer, Rajat Chaudhary or Mahamedha Nagar, all thanks to the endless posters and vibrant graffiti. Getting layers of these posters is like a monthly affair for many such “walls for democracy” on the campus. And some of the thin paper bills even start getting shredded over time making the wall look like a bizarre work of modern art. Sometimes rain might be the reason for the tearing away of these posters. However, we all know that rain and Delhi don’t have long-lasting relationships. So, one might wonder which beast goes on scratching off these posters in a savage fashion ravaging our North Campus walls.

However, the walls don’t get tattooed with the names of DUSU candidates always. Sometimes there are scribbles of meaningful text and art as well.  Many free thinkers and peaceful revolutionaries form a part of the DU family and their mental product is reflected on the walls too. For instance, you can spot the words “Free Saibaba” spray-painted in different areas. This refers to the sudden arrest of DU Professor GN Saibaba who has been hailed as a crusader for peasant movements. Some detailed imagery and messages can also be found relating to women empowerment, road safety and menstruation awareness. These adornments to the North Campus walls are much needed for the aesthetic appeal and social relevance.

Talking about art and politics and social messages, it is no surprise that the Father of the Nation is also a featured guest. Mahatma Gandhi’s face is virtually everywhere in the country be it in textbooks or currency notes or the DU walls. A few walls near Vishwavidyalaya metro station and the souvenir shop, in particular, have several bright murals on Gandhi’s morals (no pun intended).  Apart from Gandhi, historical greats like Swami Vivekananda and Bhagat Singh also keep a watchful eye on the students of DU.

 

gandhi

 

A knowledge hub like Delhi University attracts people from diverse parts of the country. Many shift to North Campus with hopes, dreams and their parents’ money in their pocket and tend to shift in flats and PGs. So, it’s no surprise that amongst the tons of Post It notes stuck on the walls, advertisements for PG and other facilities occupy a major share too (especially on the Kamala Nagar and Hudson Line side).  The names and ads are totally random so you can expect anything from “Radhe Radhe Boys PG” to “Cook Dhoni”.

Ranging from mundane to outrageous, these walls are something which makes North Campus what it is. The walls are filled with diverse colours, fonts, political parties, student unions, rebel messages, and paintings. Maybe indirectly, this symbolises the whole DU culture itself, a life filled with hues, cultures, and ideas of all sorts…

no staring

 

Featured Image credits- Shaurya Singh Thapa

 

Shaurya Singh Thapa

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Chai Pe Charcha : The Love for Chai at Campus

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From the loveable Raja bhaiya at the Patel Chest in North Campus to the Chai spot behind Jesus and Mary College in the South Campus, the entire University of Delhi (DU) has fallen in love, head over heels over Chai, and this article traces why is that so. 

Tea is more than just a beverage, it’s the elixir of life. Here are few of the many reasons why DU can’t be imagined without chai and chaiwallahs.

Chai brings an inevitable feeling of belongingness and warmth. It’s like a home away from home. This feeling of familiarity that chai brings often takes away the anxiety of starting somewhere anew, hence precisely why the Fresher’s feel at peace when they are on the campus with their favourite chai spots. It’s often that the vibe of the place and the people make you fit in.

Abhinandan Kaul, first year student from St. Stephens College, said “As I entered the DU North Campus, I had been introduced to the famous Sudama Tea stall, “north campus ki shaan!” “Sudama“- the Amar Chitra Katha character symbolizing true friendship, transforms friendship in DU too. It’s such a cute place to build strong bonds with minimum resources, I always go there with my friends to chill out with a hot cup of tea and biscuits!”

Drinking chai is a habit, it has become part of the everyday routine we follow. There’s a specific time for it. There’s a specific place for it and a specific ‘nashta’ or food to go with it.  Whether it be after the 2 p.m.  lecture or receiving calls from your mother everyday exactly at 6:30 in the evening to ask you only would you be home for chai, A hot cup of tea cannot be missed.

Noihrit, third-year student from Ramjas College said,  “Chai is constant for me. Whether I scored well or poorly in my exams, had a good or a bad day, hectic or leisurely society work, chai is indivisible from me. Spending my evenings with friends and chai at the tea point at Old Gupta Chowk is something which I’ll relive forever.”

Infact, while many of us fall in love with chai, there are many who fall in love at chai. With a cigarette in one hand, chai in other, sitting on the plastic stool, bursting out with our most vulnerable thoughts, discussing everything from weird exes to family troubles to even anxiety issues, chai spots pave a way for a perfect conversation with your special one. Chai and momos constitute a perfect day at the campus.

Prabhanu, first-year student from Kirori Mal College says, “I met this girl online way before I got into DU and I live in South Delhi. So we started talking and to meet her I had to go all the way to Civil Lines and all we used to do was drink chai and smoke sutta (cigarette) for hours until I had to go back home. Our first date included going to a hospital in Civil Lines, chai and sutta. And we are currently seeing each other.”

Its 3 a.m. and you have a sociology internal in the morning, an economics assignment to submit and a begging session to ask your teachers for attendance is also due. Chai in this moment of extreme chaos, rescues you.

Jaishree Kumar, third-year History student, Ramjas college said, “I once stayed up all night to finish my assignments. No sleep at all. Nada. Chai came to my rescue to keep me up.”

Chai is the staple for all societies, whether it be to survive the rigorous practice sessions or just to gossip about other societies with a cup of tea in hand. Chai helps all to perform.

Yaksh Handa, first-year student at the Hindu college said, “So members of the Deb Soc, before commencing the day’s proceedings, would go out to the Hindu ke saamne wali chai tapri, to get a shot of adrak wali chai, and over chai, everything from politics of the right wing to the stupidity of the debsoc seniors and to the quirky nicknames for our debsoc tshirts was discussed. I feel such short and unplanned chai tapri visits keep the soc entangled in a common thread.”

One will be amused to know that chai has a very special place in hearts of this organisation, the DU Beat, as well. Infact, the very feature image you see, is the last spot of the senior-tour which apprised the juniors of the most memorable places at college campuses from there to be gone seniors.

Vaibhav Tekchandani, Photographer and Video Editor at the DU Beat, said “The last fest season, all of us, i.e. The Village Area, the photog family, as well as the correspondents, without any said notice or gesture used to accumulate at these chai wali tapris and everything from the live updates to the captions was discussed. It was a beautiful feeling and I’d give anything to go back to those days.”

From broken hearts to broken hands, all was treated at the chai wali tapri. It is the greatest source of making memories that will give you nostalgia every time you pass through that place.

Janesh Sahni, Photographer and Video Editor at the DU Beat says, “Raja bhaiya’s Tapri has been our go to place since like forever. I broke my hard drive last year during Tempest and we all tried to fix at Raja Bhaiya while I panicked hard. “Meltayi Maggie” is melted cheese Maggie that you can get at Raja Bhaiya, we coined that term.”

Chai brings a pool of memories for not only just for society members or DU Beat members, but for each student of DU. From assignment discussions to ranting about college professors; everything takes place at chai wali tapri. People like Raja Bhaiya and things like Sudama ki Chai becomes actual realities of our lives, than just places.

Waise bhi, it’s the gospel truth that Chai bina Chen kha re. (All this while one thing remains the gospel truth; there is no peace without a cup of tea.)

 

Feature Image Credits: Janesh Sahni for DU Beat

Chhavi Bahmba 

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SRCC Staff Association Protests against Guest Teachers’ Appointment

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The Staff Association of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) protested against the circular which directed colleges to appoint guest teachers against full time vacancies.

The Staff Association of the University of Delhi’s Shri Ram College of Commerce held a protest against a circular dated 28th August 2019 issued by the Assistant Registrar of the University which directs the appointment of guest teachers against full time vacancies.

On the appeal of the SRCC Staff Association, students joined the teachers in large numbers outside the college and they marched towards the Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi’s office to submit a memorandum.

“Guest teachers are paid on per lecture basis only for lectures held and that too subject to a ceiling on payment / number of lectures in a week. This is unjust for young talent aspiring to become a teacher and shows a lack of concern for teaching-learning”, the staff association said.

They further added that the circular “is unmindful of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities as well as various institutional activities in which full-time teachers participate.”

Calling the circular “unwarranted”, they further highlighted how it has caused uncertainty and distress among different colleges due to varied interpretations.

The Varsity had been filling the vacancies using ad-hoc teachers currently who are given fixed monthly stipends and are hired on a four months contractual basis. Most of these teachers are working for over a decade and are awaiting permanent recruitment as they are currently not entitled to the benefits of permanent faculty members.

Elaborating upon the uncertainty looming over these ad-hoc teachers, the statement said that “uncertainty exists as to whether or not the existing teachers working in ad-hoc will be renews in the same capacity in a few days time when the term of their current appointment ends.”

The Staff Association of Ramjas College extended their support to the SRCC Staff Association and said, “Ramjas College has perhaps the largest number of non-permanent teachers, some of them working for more than 10-15 years. We share your pain and imminent fear.”

WhatsApp Image 2019-11-09 at 9.58.29 PM
Image Credits: Ramjas Staff Association       Image Caption: The Ramjas Staff Association release a Press Release in solidarity with the SRCC protest.

The memorandum was submitted to the Proctor, University of Delhi as the VC was unable to meet the college’s representative. The proctor assured the protesting teachers that the existing ad-hocs will not be replaced.

 

Feature image Credits: SRCC Staff Association

Shreya Agrawal

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DU Hosts 96th Annual Convocation Ceremony

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The University of Delhi (DU) organised its 96th Annual Convocation on 4th November 2018 at the Sports complex in North Campus.

This year’s convocation witnessed the highest number of graduates, a total of 3 Lack students were to be graduates from DU, out of which 700 were present at the convocation. From these 700 students, 300 were recipients of special awards and scholarships provided by the Varsity. The occasion was graced among others by the Chief Guest Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal, honourable Human Resource and Development Minister, with Professor D.P. Singh, Chairman, University Grants Commission, and Shri. Chandra Shekhar Dubey, Director of Campus of Open Learning. The function was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Yogesh Tyagi. The event commenced with a combined blowing of the Indian Shankh and beautiful classical performance by the students of the Faculty of Music.

A podium was set up next to the stage on which two people translated the whole event in sign language for the hearing impaired students.

The convocation was declared open by Registrar, Professor Tarun at 10:45 am. People from various parts of the world joined the event through podcasts. Vice-Chancellor took to stage and stated various achievements of the University of Delhi so far in 2019 enlightening the crowd. He talked about the importance of an integrated campus of DU. He also emphasized on the fact that there is zero place for corruption in the institute to maintain the ethical standards. And the Delhi University is the only institute with schools for children established unlike any other institute in the country, marching towards excellence

The ceremony also honoured the prominent alumni of the varsity and awarded them with medals and discussed their achievements. Famous journalist, Mr Rajat Sharma was awarded for his accomplishments. Anil Kumar Tyagi, the Vice-Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, and an alumnus of the University of Delhi was also honoured at the event along with more such distinguished personalities.

The event saw joyous faces of students in black robes and graduation hats who clearly worked really hard to make it to this day, along with their proud and happy parents in the audience who couldn’t stop applauding celebrating this glorious event even for a little while. Nikita Bhateja, MSc Statistics from Hansraj College was the recipient of five awards followed by several other students from all sorts of courses who made a difference.

Feature Image Credits: Deewanshi Vats for DU Beat

Avni Dhawan

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Auburn Umbrella: Leggings, Fashion, and Comfort

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This Auburn introduces you to a staple for dance, dramatics and many other societies, Leggings. Something so simple, yet so necessary.

Like the nation we live in, University of Delhi (DU) is an amalgamation of many fashion trends, the infamous Kurta trend, the ripped jeans trend, and T-shirt-skirt trend. Among all of these, Legging Fashion is the newest trend on the list.

When I joined the Dramatics Society of my college, I was oblivious to the many rigorous physicals we have to endure. Amidst, all the running and fainting from fatigue, the toughest was to select an attire. This constant confusion between-can’t come to college in pyjamas, can’t wear skirts or jeans because of the physical restriction, and forget the beautiful summer dresses. Leggings came to my rescue, a tool that provides one with a perfect attire looking fashionable. All my shopping trips with my mother just low-key turned into who would find the brown-edgy leggings, and who will find the classic black ones.

Aditi Kekre, a student from Sri Venkateswara college said, “Leggings are so comfortable. They allow you to be so fun and free. You can do a split in them, you can dance and yet you’ll look formal if you choose the right one.”

The other bigger development in this revolutionary attire is its forms. There are yoga pants, styled bottom jeggings, the Jean Jegging, the cotton ones that can be worn under kurtas, the embellished tights, and so much more.

Most people also choose them for their convenience. It supports their many looks of ethnic outfits and work wonders on even the western ones.

Mehak Bhatia, another student from DU, told DU Beat, “Leggings according to me to are comfortable. I would prefer wearing them over Jeans and tights any day. But it’s difficult to match them my tops. Leggings only go with Indian kurtas etc., that’s the only drawback.”

 

Just like the T-shirt that goes with every outfit. The jegging has become the perfect staple for all. You tuck in your T-shirt and you’re ready for class, you add a jacket or a kurta and it’s a new look altogether.

Other than this, Social media and Fashion influencers have created a platform to advertise, sell and buy jegging. With so much variety, it becomes an unaffected item.

So, for all the students with dreaded faces, contemplating what to do, what to wear and how to creep up, just tuck in your graphic tee in blue jegging and welcome themselves with a nice day.

Feature Image Credits: Scopio

Chhavi Bahmba

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DU to Form Admission Branch for Hassle-Free Process

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In an attempt to solve the annuala admissions chaos, University of Delhi (DU) has decided to form a separate branch to overlook the tedious admission process for a more organised admission session. 

Like the examination committee, DU has decided to organise and streamline the entire admission process. The decision has been taken in lieu of this year’s admission process which witnessed late cut-offs and multiple complaints. 

University of Delhi has an intake of lakhs of students from all over India accompanied by sky-high cut-offs. It becomes more imperative that the entire process is closely supervised.

Rasal Singh, member of the standing committee on the admissions for the session 2019-20 said, “Delhi University is India’s biggest and premier central University. Lakhs of students from all over India and abroad come here for admissions. We don’t have a dedicated and full-fledged admission branch for a consistent admission policy and its hassle-free implementation. The lack of it, hence, leads to unnecessary delays and makes it complicated too.” 

This session marked delayed admissions and incomplete procedure. There were many changes in the admission policy at the last minute that even led to the University being dragged to the court. After that, the policies framed had to be withdrawn; like Mathematics being compulsory to be counted in Best of Four to pursue B.A. (Honours) Economics from the University. 

The procedure for admission in the University includes formation of an admission committee usually consisting of members of the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW) office, college principals and teacher representatives from the colleges, nominated by the Vice Chancellor. Along with it, there is also an advisory committee, which overlooks the admission process.

Each year, there is a new set of officials appointed for carrying out the process of admission, which is unstable, therefore a stable body is needed. 

The University conducts admissions for the undergraduate programmes in 63 colleges, postgraduate admissions in over 50 departments, and also M. Phil and PhD admissions. That means even if the undergraduate admissions wrap up before July, the post graduate and PhD admissions go all year round. Like right now, the admissions for postgraduate and PhD courses is still going on. 

Rasal Singh also added, “The M. Phil/ PhD admissions are still ongoing, so in the University, the admission is almost a year-long process. Hence, having a branch to exclusively deal with it is very much required.”

The admission process is likely to be headed by the Dean and other officials. However, the date for functionality and formation of the admission body hasn’t been announced.

Feature Image Credits:  Hindustan Times

Chhavi Bahmba

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UGC asks Varsities to Adopt Khadi as Their Ceremonial Dress

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a circular advocating the use of khadi or handloom textiles in over 50,000 universities and colleges for ceremonial dresses, like convocations. 

Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UGC has advocated the usage of khadi or handloom textiles in ceremonial dresses. The circular addressed to over 50,000 universities and colleges, states, “The honourable Prime Minister has advocated the use of khadi and also emphasized on the revival of handlooms. Mahatma Gandhi used khadi, a handspun and handloom cloth as a weapon during the struggle for Independence, and hence it is also known as ‘Liveries of Freedom’…the use of khadi and other handlooms will not only give a sense of pride of being Indian, but also be more comfortable in hot and humid weather.”

The erstwhile ‘Western’ attire of convocations has long been a discourse over the loss of Indian-ness, thus, a few institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, IIT Bombay, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Hamirpur, and Gujarat University have already adopted khadi or handloom textiles as their ceremonial dress. 

Signed by UGC secretary Rajnish Jain, the circular aims to preserve the Indian culture and heritage and sustain the livelihood for lakhs of rural people. “I request you to kindly take appropriate action to adopt khadi and/or handloom fabric for ceremonial dresses to encourage the use of khadi…,” reads the circular.

As quoted to Hindustan Times, a Delhi University professor, maintaining anonymity, said, “The language of the circular is very interesting. While it did not use the word mandatory, it expects universities to take action. We are not against khadi or handloom but I believe universities and colleges need to be left alone to make a decision on what they wish to adopt. It is an indirect directive to fall in line. It’s symbolism, not Indian pride, that the education regulator is trying to get us to believe.”

 

Feature Image Credits: The New Leam

 

Anandi Sen 

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DU TO ENCLOSE NORTH CAMPUS FOR SAFETY AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION

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Culture preservation and safety has motivated the University of Delhi (DU) to convert the North Campus into an enclosed area to form a proper campus, much like the Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) campus. The initiative will be completed within a year and was informed by the Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi at the executive council (EC) meeting on Saturday 26th October 2019. 

Currently, the proposal is in the contact phase where government agencies and departments are told to start the process, an official announcement hasn’t been made yet. 

The two-day meeting held on Saturday, was a platform for many issues to be discussed, the IOE proposal, construction of 39-storey building and the closing of North Campus. 

However, while these issues may seem independent, they are interconnected. If the EC’s proposal is accepted to enclose North Campus, the construction of the building will be deferred. And, IOE (Institute of Eminence) proposal would pave way for the closing of North Campus. 

EC member Rajesh Jha, said, “We have always demanded that the campus should be closed as we want DU to have a character of its own just like JNU and other varsities in the country. The closed campus will also help authorities improve the security on the varsity premises.”

North Campus is a hub of academics at the University of Delhi, with many colleges and departments within meters of each other, and so, it has always witnessed the greatest college student footfall. This raises some serious questions regarding the safety of the students, with recent developments in many violent cases taking place at North Campus. This concept will increase the safety of students manifold. However, it may subject them to false seclusion and isolation. The culture of campus may be gone when only students of those colleges could take part in it, and not all could witness it.

Interviewing students from all over the campus, DU Beat received many mixed responses.  Here’s what DU students have to say about this. 

Aditi Raj, Daulat Ram College, North Campus said “The idea seems far-fetched, I don’t know how they will manage to do it. The campus is full of roads that connect two parts of the city. And other universities like JNU, have a huge campus with all departments to enclose, where we are just calling few colleges and departments the entire university campus.” 

Satviki Sanjay, Miranda House, North Campus said, “I don’t think DU North Campus should be closed. To ‘maintain its culture’ sounds like a terrible reason as DU ‘culture’ is not just limited in the North Campus but also the other colleges. Closing it would just strengthen the already prevalent elitism in the North Campus. Moreover, there are logistical issues that need to be resolved. DU North Campus is not just educational institutions but an entire ecosystem of students, teachers, market places, transportation and all which make DU North Campus what it is and closing it would rather hamper the ‘culture’.” 

Akshat Arora, Motilal Nehru College, South Campus said, “I feel like restricting an area to a limited number of students will work against your intentions if you intend to preserve “cultures”.”

Whereas, A counter-opinion also existed among the DU students. Priyanshu Sinha, Delhi School of Journalism, North Campus believes, “When we step out of the Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station to head towards our respective colleges, it feels more like going to an isolated corporate office than going to a University. Like JNU, Delhi University needs to have a closed campus.”

Many times the argument comes that DU is a collegiate like Oxford which is based in the Oxfordshire. But then we forget that Oxfordshire is completely established for Oxford University whereas Delhi is a diverse city having government offices, corporate buildings along with the University. It doesn’t feel like a University campus when cars flock all the time, outsiders who have nothing to do with the college or the education roam around in the campus. It also dilutes unity of the campus as a single entity. This step by the administration is very pleasant and we welcome it wholeheartedly.”

Pranavi Prabhakaran, Daulat Ram College, North Campus, told DU Beat, “North Campus is a truly important academic area. It’s only surprising that this move hadn’t been taken earlier. I hope it will be cleaner now.”

While different opinions surface in the University, many questions like whether the infamous Hudson Lane and Patel Chest Photocopy Lane be part of mainstream campus? Will the stalls and Chai corners that exist, still cease to exist? Will colleges provide parking spots to those who earlier parked outside?

To answer all these questions and many more, a formal official notification is awaited. 

Feature Image Credits: Dailymail

Chhavi Bahmba 

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Sexual Harassment Survivor at DU Writes to VC, PMO and MHRD

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Due to the varsity’s lack of action despite the perpetrators having been found guilty, a sexual harassment survivor wrote to the VC, PMO and MHRD, complaining about the lack of initiative taken.

 

Despite the varsity’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) finding the head of the Chemistry department (HoD) guilty 18 months ago in case of sexual harassment report, no action has been taken. The case is claimed to have occurred on April 2018, and despite the ICC’s confirmation, the university has taken no action. A day before the DU Executive Council (EC) meeting, the alleged survivor has written to the DU Vice-Chancellor, the PMO (Prime Minister of India), the MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and others stating that the university has delayed in giving her justice.

 

In the letter, the alleged survivor has stated that while another EC meeting has been called on October 25, her sexual harassment cause has also been called for discussion. Alleging that she was not informed about her case in the previous EC meetings, she said that she got to know that to decide her case,  the VC has constituted a new three-member committee, consisting of 2 EC members and one member from outside the University, as reported by The Times of India. The survivor expressed distress at the knowledge that the varsity has let the guilty HoD and the six other members of the Chemistry department walk free.

 

The survivor- whose identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual harassment- alleged that the University failed to abide by its regulations regarding sexual harassment at workplace.

 

Under Section 9 of the code of regulations, the survivor was to be provided interim relief, which she claimed she was not while the case was being enquired by the ICC. The letter also states that despite the case being reported on May 2018, no decision has been taken and no punishment has been given to the guilty party, which is a direct violation of Section 8(4), which states that the UGC regulations on sexual harassment, the Executive Authority of the University has to take a decision within 30 to 45 days after a report has come out.

 

The committee made by the VC is extra-legal and does not find a place in either the POSH law or the UGC Regulations 2016- the survivor thus stated that this quasi-judicial body cannot be allowed to discredit the ICC report.

 

She also revealed that on September 15, the Chemistry department called for an interview for the position of assistant professor on a guest basis in which she applied but the HOD was a member of the selection committee despite the ICC saying that he cannot be a member of the selection committee if she applied.

 

Feature Image Credit: DU Beat Archives

Shreya Juyal

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