Latest
DU Beat – Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper
Tag

DU

Browsing
Campus Central

DU Proctor Issues Month-Long Ban on Protests and Public Gatherings Across Campus

By

Delhi University has announced a month-long ban on protests and public gatherings across campus, citing concerns over safety and public order.

The University of Delhi has imposed a temporary prohibition on protests, demonstrations, and public gatherings across its campuses for a period of one month, according to an official order issued by the Office of the Proctor on February 17, 2026.

The circular, addressed to students, faculty members, and staff, states that all forms of public meetings, processions, rallies, dharnas, and demonstrations are “strictly prohibited” within university premises with immediate effect. The restriction will remain in force until March 17, 2026, unless withdrawn earlier.

According to the order, the decision was taken following inputs suggesting that unrestricted gatherings on campus could lead to traffic obstruction, threats to human life, and disturbances to public peace. The Proctor’s Office noted that in previous instances, protest organizers had allegedly failed to manage crowds effectively, leading to escalation and deterioration of law and order within university spaces.

The directive also references an order issued by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Civil Lines subdivision, under provisions linked to notifications by the Ministry of Home Affairs. These regulations extend the scope of restrictions to several specific activities.

Under the order, the assembly of five or more persons for protest-related purposes has been prohibited. The use or carrying of potentially hazardous materials, including mashals, beacons, or torches, has also been banned. Additionally, slogan shouting, public speeches, rallies, and any activity that could disrupt public tranquillity or impede the smooth flow of traffic are not permitted during the enforcement period.

University authorities justified the move as a preventive measure aimed at maintaining safety and ensuring normal academic functioning across campuses. The order emphasizes concerns over crowd management and the potential spread of unrest during large gatherings.

The circular has come into immediate effect from February 17, 2026, following approval from the competent authority, marking a significant temporary restriction on collective demonstrations within Delhi University campuses.

Read Also: Understanding Ambedkar: lessons from an elective course 

 

Image Credit: Devesh for DU Beat

 

Anjali Kumari Jha

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Water Hurled at S Irfan Habib During People’s Literature Festival 

By

On 11th February, S Irfan Habib, a historian and a public intellectual, got attacked with a bucket filled with water being thrown at him. The incident occurred near Gate 4 of the Arts Faculty at the North Campus of Delhi University. The incident occurred at ‘People’s Literature Festival: Samta Utsav’, organised by the All India Students’ Association (AISA). Some faction of the student organisation believes that this attack was orchestrated by the members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to sabotage the event. 

The Literature Festival commenced with a session on ‘Caste in Society and University’, taken by Habib, who spoke on what AISA described as “attempts to rewrite history and marginalise discussions on caste within higher education”.

Professor Habib said, 

The bucket did not hit me, but the water fell on me. I was overwhelmed for a few minutes—the bucket could have had anything, even stones.” He further added, “I have been to DU several times and spoken here, and this is the first time that something like this has happened to me. The past two years… things have changed drastically.”

 To another source, he said, 

I was invited to speak by the students. Some 200 students had gathered. I had just begun my address and spoken for about 20 minutes when suddenly water from a bucket was thrown from a wall behind me. For a few seconds I was unsettled, but then I continued. It is disturbing and shocking for me. Universities are places for diverse voices, which should be respected.” 

AISA further made a public statement: “Despite a planned and violent attempt by the ABVP members to sabotage the event, the festival concluded as a massive success.”

Meanwhile, the authorities denied any such happening, “We have not received any complaints of any attacks or mischief on campus,” said Joint Proctor Manoj Singh.

This act of violence against Prof Habib is a testimony to the extent the academic atmosphere is vitiated in the University of Delhi at the behest of the University administration and the affiliates of the ruling party. The impunity of the action shows that the culprits have the protection of the University administration: hence all such acts of violence will go unpunished to encourage more such acts.

It is pertinent to mention here that the current DUSU Joint-Secretary was caught on camera assaulting a teacher in front of police and the college administration. She was allowed to walk free without any punishment and that incident encouraged more such acts of violence by the ruling dispensation. The violence against Prof Habib was pre-meditated as the University administration and the upper caste goons of the ruling party do not want the Rohith Act to be implemented across the country. This is in sync with the policy of NFS adopted by the University administration to deny livelihood to hundreds of teachers in the categories of SC/ST/OBC as an illustration of its caste prejudice,” Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor at Kirori Mal College and Treasurer of DTF remarked. 

Sharply critiquing the attack, CPI General Secretary D Raja said,

This is not disagreement or debate; this is cowardly intimidation. Ideas must be fought with ideas, not with violence, threats or hooliganism. Such acts expose the deep insecurity of right-wing forces who fear free thinking and open discussion.”

He further added,

Because of their narrow and intolerant ideology, university spaces across the country are being turned hostile and inward-looking, where questioning and critical thought are attacked. There is no place for violence or intimidation in academic and public life.”

Read More: On Record with Anish Gawande

Image Credits- The Indian Express

Divyanshi Dusad 

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

DU Students Protest Fee Hike; AISA Submits Memorandum Seeking Immediate Rollback

By

Students of Delhi University, led by AISA, protest against the recent fee hike and submit a memorandum demanding its rollback, warning that rising costs threaten access to affordable public education.

 

Students at Delhi University, led by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), staged a protest on Thursday against what they described as an “arbitrary and repeated” increase in university fees, asserting that the hike will marginalise economically vulnerable students and make higher education less accessible. 

 

The demonstration took place outside university premises after a recent notification from DU revised the university’s share in the consolidated fee from Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,100, marking an increase of more than 17 per cent within six months. This was the latest in a series of upward revisions, following a 20 per cent hike announced last year, and has triggered widespread concern among student groups. 

 

Students participating in the protest chanted slogans and carried placards demanding a reversal of the fee increase. They argued that repeated hikes reflect a shift towards treating education as a paid service rather than as a guaranteed social right.

 

A delegation of protesters later met with officials from the office of the Dean of Students’ Welfare, where they submitted a memorandum seeking an immediate rollback of the latest fee increase. While the administration offered assurances during discussions, student leaders said similar responses had been given previously without yielding any substantive relief. 

 

Sanatan, Vice-President of AISA DU, told The Hindustan Times that the administration’s handling of the fee structure signals a lack of commitment to inclusive education. He accused the university authorities of adopting a market-driven approach at the expense of students’ academic rights and welfare. 

 

The issue of fee increases has emerged as a recurring flashpoint in student politics at DU. Critics of the hikes argue that they disproportionately affect students from marginalised communities and low-income families. They contend that incremental increases, especially within short time spans, exacerbate financial barriers to higher education and may deter prospective applicants. 

 

DU’s administration has not yet issued a formal public statement addressing the protest or the demands made by student groups, including AISA. However, university officials are expected to review the memorandum and engage with student representatives in the coming days. Observers indicate that the administration will likely seek to balance financial sustainability with student welfare as discussions continue. 

 

The protest underscores the ongoing tensions within Indian higher education institutions between student bodies advocating for equitable access and administrative decisions aimed at operational and infrastructural funding. As deliberations over the fee structure persist, students and campus organisations are monitoring developments closely.

 

Read Also – DU Hikes Institutional Fees Again, Colleges Flag Impact on Students

 

Featured Image source – Devesh for DU Beat

 

Madhav Choudhary 

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Delhi High Court directs DU to Release withheld Law Examination Results. 

By

The Delhi High Court on 15th January passed a judgment requiring DU to release examination results for law students who have been detained due to a shortage of attendance, which reaffirms the decision in ‘Sushant Rohilla v. Bar Council of India’.

 

On 15th January, the Delhi High Court passed a judgment holding that Delhi University (DU) cannot withhold law results for lack of attendance, after a batch of writ petitions filed by final-year and senior-semester LL.B. students. 

 

The case was between the students from Campus Law Centre (CLC) and other law centres of DU and the University of Delhi. The students who were unable to fulfil the attendance criteria were allowed to sit for their end-of-semester either provisionally or after interim relief, but had their results withheld. Effectively, this forced the students to reappear for their examination. Furthermore, according to ‘Bar and Bench’, the detainee list was released 3 days before the examination, where no monthly or aggregate attendance records were published. 

 

The petitioners had argued that lack of attendance cannot be the reason to withhold results, citing the ‘Sushant Rohilla v. Bar Council of India.’ The petitioners further argued that the attendance data has been applied mechanically, which didn’t account for internships, competition or the abrupt last-minute cancellation of classes. 

 

The defendants, on the other hand, argued that Rules 10 and 12 of the Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules of Legal Education, 2008 mandate a minimum attendance requirement, and students who fail to meet it cannot be allowed to take exams or have their results declared. Furthermore, the DU had held an internal inquiry on 22nd September, 2025, which recommended that the results of provisionally permitted students should not be declared, which has not been challenged by the petition. Lastly cited ‘University of Delhi & Ors vs Adarsh Raj Singh & Anr’ case, those who did not challenge their detention list or approach the court in time should not be entertained in court. 

 

The court examined the claims made by both parties. Firstly, the court looked into whether mandatory physical attendance is a “non-negotiable component of the teaching and training of students of law.” The court answered that in the negative. Then, looking at the ‘Sushant Rohilla v. Bar Council of India’ case, it is clearly stated that, “No student enrolled in any recognised law college, University or institution in India shall be detained from taking examination or be prevented from further academic pursuits or career progression on the ground of lack of minimum attendance”

 

Further, the court observed that DU sought to justify its action by relying on Rules 10 and 12 of the BCI Rules; the legal position had been substantially clarified in ‘Sushant Rohilla v. Bar Council of India’. The court also rejected the University’s reliance on internal inquiry reports and undertakings obtained from students, by pointing out that undertakings could not override the law declared by a constitutional court. The court pointed out that the basis of detention was a shortage of attendance, which was held to be invalid; all consequential actions, including cancellation or non-declaration of results, could not survive.

 

The judgment affirms student rights within law education and takes a stand against the rigid enforcement of attendance norms, which does not take the ground reality into account.

 

Read More: DU Hikes Institutional Fees Again, Colleges Flag Impact on Students

 

Photo credits: Website of Delhi High Court

 

Reva Rawat

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Female Students Face Sexual Harassment in North Campus

By

Several female students at the Delhi School of Journalism and Miranda House had faced repeated instances of sexual harassment, as men deliberately exposed their genitalia, proceeding to perform vulgar and obscene acts in front of the first-year students.

 

Female students at the Delhi School of Journalism and Miranda House have reported multiple instances of sexual harassment. The first such incident was reported to have occurred to two first-year students of the Delhi School of Journalism on the 31st of December 2025, on Cavalry Lane. The students were on route to the Vishwavidyalaya metro station at around 12:30 pm when an unidentified man indecently exposed his genitalia to the students as he proceeded to masturbate in front of them. The students found the incident “alarming and deeply traumatising,” and fled the scene, fearing for their safety.

 

A similar incident was also reported outside Miranda House. On 15th January, four first-year students, while exiting the college campus, encountered a man in his late thirties masturbating in broad daylight near the bus stand, outside the third gate of the college. The students approached the nearby pink booth, where they were informed by the female officer that a male personnel would be called to handle the situation.

One of the students later stated, “The man continued the act and looked at us while doing it. It was extremely disturbing and distressing.” It’s also crucial to note that this occurred in the presence of a female officer. The students also contacted the women’s helpline. Subsequently, the male police officer also arrived at the spot and detained the individual. According to the police, the man was drunk and not in a stable state of mind.

 

The students stated that they did not formally inform anyone else in the college, except that one of them contacted a senior from the college ICC, who provided contact details of a lawyer for legal guidance, however, no FIR was filed. 

For our own sanity and well-being, we chose not to escalate the matter further. However, it’s really scary to walk that same path every day, and to think about what if he recognised us, stalked us, or came after us someday.”

Apart from the students involved, another girl was present who also noted the events. They also reported that a similar incident had previously occurred to a first-year student on a DTC bus, suggesting that such incidents could be recurring.

 

What is particularly concerning is that the incident took place in proximity to a women’s college, and near a bus stand, with frequent movement of women, children, and students from nearby colleges. The fact that such an act occurred in a public, highly populated space highlights serious concerns regarding safety and monitoring in the area.

 

 Yet again, on January 16th, 2026, just a day after the incident outside Miranda House had taken place, the same two students from DSJ would be subjected to a repeated event of sexual misconduct as an event identical to the first reoccurred, at the same location, once again in broad daylight.

One of the victims said,

The man made eye contact with us as he did obscene gestures in public. We are devastated and extremely disheartened because it feels as if our right to freely walk on the streets has been curtailed.” “It still disturbs me that he felt free to do this in public with no fear of consequences. How that man remembered to cover his face but not his genitalia is unbeknownst to me,” said the other.

 

The experience was far from isolated. Upon hearing about the events of December 31st and January 16th, several other students at DSJ reported having had similar experiences. First-year student Aastha Upadhyay stated,

Ever since I’ve known about these incidents, I’ve dreaded walking down that path or even coming to college for that matter, which is a shame because I quite like what I’m studying. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep because I keep waking up with the fear of a man’s presence in my room. It pains me to think about what more could have happened to them, to any of us. Of course, there are bad elements in society, against which we can try to be cautious on a personal level, but their normalisation should be intolerable.”

 

A complaint regarding student safety was brought to the college administration’s attention. However, as the reported incidents had all occurred a few feet outside the college campus, the authorities concerned had voiced that they had no agency to involve themselves in the situation. This led to the student body questioning the accountability of their institution. Students had approached the Pink Booth outside Miranda House seeking protection and justice. Unfortunately, personnel informed them that the booth only dealt with cases of theft or snatching. They were directed to the local police station to report any instance of harassment. The Pink Booth is supposedly meant to act as a safe space for women. First-year DSJ student Ananya Chaturvedi says that the Pink Booth succeeded in branding safety, but not in providing it. “A pink-painted booth alone does not empower women. It serves no purpose if its commitment to safety ends at aesthetics,” she says.

 

Parents are left worrying for the security of their children as such instances continue to occur time after time. The father of one of the victims stated, “Very concerned about the safety of my daughter as well as other female students travelling to DU North Campus for their regular classes…When parents entrust these prestigious and reputed universities with their children, they do so in good faith. They deserve reassurance that this trust will be upheld.”

Read Also: A Soaring Fire Hazard: The Alarming State of Fire Safety in Delhi University

Image Credits: Apoorva

Written by: Anonymous

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

A Soaring Fire Hazard: The Alarming State of Fire Safety in Delhi University

By

A recent RTI revealed serious gaps in Delhi University’s fire safety infrastructure, with a lack of information regarding the safety equipment deployed across DU campuses. The recent incidents of fire breakouts across the University raise serious questions about preparedness in the event of a mishap. 

 

Delhi University, once regarded as a pinnacle of academic and architecture, now finds itself embroiled in a fresh controversy. The institution has come under fire for the deteriorating state of fire safety infrastructure across its colleges. Replying to an RTI (Right to Information) filed by Rahul Jhansla, Vice President of the Delhi University Students Union, the University stated that –

 

They do not have any such inventory available. Nor do they have any record available in the engineering department”

 

When DU Beat reached out to Rahul Jhansla regarding these lapses, he responded by stating that- 

 

RTII recently visited LC-2 for an inspection concerning its budget and expenditure. However, the administration failed to provide any records detailing expenditure, and the yearly budget presented was factually incorrect. Additionally, with regard to fire safety, my team filed several RTIs seeking information on the inventory of fire-safety equipment and the expiry dates of fire extinguishers. The responses revealed that the University does not maintain any ledger or systematic record of these critical safety assets”.

 

The lack of any comprehensive information regarding the safety equipment deployed across Delhi University campuses raises serious and urgent questions about the preparedness of the fire safety infrastructure in the event of any mishap. 

An incident of fire breakout was reported on 10 June 2025 at the Department of Zoology, Delhi University. The fire originated in the computer room of a laboratory located on the fifth floor of the department. Fire brigade teams were rushed to the spot, initiating a prompt response to bring the situation under control. Timely intervention by the authorities averted what could have otherwise escalated into a major disaster.

A similar incident was reported at Ram Lal Anand College, located in the South Campus, on 12 April 2022. The fire broke out in the college auditorium, immediately alerting the authorities. Fire brigade teams were rushed to the scene and successfully doused the flames. No casualties were reported at the time. However, this was not an isolated incident. On 9 June 2020, a fire had earlier broken out in the computer lab of the same college, as confirmed by a Delhi Fire Service official. In both instances, prompt responses prevented major damage. The recurrence of such incidents raises serious questions about the adequacy of fire safety infrastructure, particularly in the peripheral colleges of Delhi University.

Additionally, several videos of similar fire incidents have been circulating on the internet, allegedly involving Zakir Husain College and Ramjas College. However, no verified sources could be found to substantiate these claims.

Fire safety is not the only concern. Delhi University appears to be lagging on multiple fronts, with calls for urgent reforms. While prompt responses have prevented disasters in certain fire-related incidents, the same cannot be said in many other cases. Incidents such as ceiling fans falling and injuring a faculty member at Kalindi College, or broken tables and chairs being given during semester examinations, point towards a broader pattern of infrastructural neglect.

Ignoring these issues is not merely a violation of UGC guidelines; it represents a serious breach of the trust that students place in the institution as a safe and secure space. Delhi University must prepare more robustly to tackle such challenges. 

Read Also: Fire Breaks Out at DU’s Guru Gobind Singh College: Over 3000 Books Destroyed, No Casualties Reported

Feature Image Credits – Devesh for DU Beat

 

Rahul Kumar 

 

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
DUB News

DU Lets Fourth-Year Undergraduate Students Take Extra Credits To Complete Major

By

 

Fourth-year undergraduates can now take up to eight additional credits in their final semester, making it easier to complete the core credits and secure a major. This move particularly helps those aiming for postgraduate studies, giving them the flexibility they were long promised under the UGCF 2022.

Recently, the University of Delhi announced a relaxation of the credit limit for fourth-year undergraduate students under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022, resolving long-standing academic concerns. According to the revised provision, students in their eighth semester are now allowed to take up to eight credits beyond the existing ceiling, enabling them to meet the requirements for being awarded a major. This move will be effective for students enrolled in the 2025-26 academic year.

Initially, seventh-semester students were restricted to apply for a maximum of 22 credits, the same ceiling that applies to all other semesters. However, this proved to be a limitation for many, particularly those who had not been able to complete the mandatory number of core discipline credits by the end of their seventh semesters. With insufficient time in the final semester to compensate for the shortfall, several students reached the end of the semester without fulfilling the criteria necessary for a formally declared major.

According to the updated notification, the upper credit limit in the final semester has now been increased to 30. Additional credits can be used to complete pending core discipline requirements, enabling students to fulfil the eligibility criteria for a major.

Under the UGCF, a major denotes the principal field of study in which a student completes the highest number of core courses and credits, which is reflected as the main subject on the degree. A minor,on the other hand,is a secondary area of study that requires a small credit load.

This relaxation is expected to particularly benefit students planning to pursue postgraduate studies,where it is often a prerequisite to have a formally declared major. For many students, it is also important when applying for degree programs abroad, scholarships, and various entrance examinations. By allowing additional credits in the final semester, the university now ensures that students have sufficient opportunities to complete their core discipline requirements in the final semester. Furthermore, this move aligns with the UGCF objectives of providing ‘Flexibility to the students to determine their learning trajectories and pursuance of programmes of study.’

 

Read Also: DU UG Admissions 2026–27: CUET UG Mandatory, No Change in Subject Eligibility Rules

Image Credits: ThePrint

 

Ipshita Grover

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Features

Delhi University Teachers Oppose Aadhaar-Based Attendance, Call It Coercive 

By

Delhi University teachers oppose the mandatory Aadhaar-based biometric attendance system, calling it coercive and undignified, and warn that linking attendance with salaries undermines academic autonomy and professional dignity.

Teachers of the University of Delhi have strongly objected to the mandatory implementation of an Aadhaar-Based Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS), describing it as coercive, arbitrary, and detrimental to academic autonomy. The opposition follows a recent university communication warning that salaries could be withheld from January 2026 onwards if employees fail to comply with the Aadhaar-linked attendance requirement.

In a detailed letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, members of the Academic for Action and Development Teachers’ Association (AADTA), along with representatives from statutory bodies, criticised the move as an attempt to discipline faculty through intimidation rather than dialogue. The letter comes after the university directed all teaching and non-teaching staff to mark attendance through the biometric system, with deans, heads of departments, and officers instructed to ensure compliance to avoid disciplinary action.

Calling the directive “arbitrary” and “intimidating,” the teachers argued that linking attendance to salary undermines the dignity of the teaching profession. “Salary is a legitimate right earned through service and cannot be withheld as a punitive measure,” the letter stated, adding that the warning has generated widespread anxiety and unrest among faculty members.

The association also pointed out that mechanisms for faculty accountability already exist under University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, university ordinances, and long-established academic norms. Teaching, they argued, involves a wide range of responsibilities that extend beyond classroom hours. “Teaching, research, examinations, fieldwork, extension activities and academic responsibilities cannot be reduced to biometric marking,” the letter emphasised.

AADTA further highlighted what it termed a contradiction in the university’s position. According to the teachers, they had earlier been informed that the proposal to impose biometric attendance had been dropped. “The continued enforcement of administrative instructions clearly contradicts that claim,” the letter noted.

Another major objection raised was the university’s reference to colleges as “units” in official communications. The association argued that colleges are statutory academic institutions and should not be administratively reduced to generic units, calling this terminology an erosion of institutional autonomy.

The teachers also criticised the manner in which the decision was implemented, describing it as “governance by diktat rather than democratic deliberation.” They maintained that any proposal affecting service conditions must be discussed through statutory bodies and arrived at through meaningful consultation with stakeholders.

AADTA has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Aadhaar-based biometric attendance requirement, a clear assurance that no salary will be withheld on this basis, and the initiation of constructive dialogue between the university administration and the teaching community.

Read Also: DCAC Students Left Waiting as the New Semester Begins without Timetables

Featured Image Source: Times of India

Richa Choudhary

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
Campus Central

Delhi University “Walls of Democracy” Spark Row After Viral Video, Administration Denies Removal

By

A controversy erupted at Delhi University after a viral video showed students being stopped from pasting posters on the ‘Walls of Democracy.’ Student groups alleged curbs on free expression, while the university denied removing the walls, calling it a temporary restriction for maintenance.

 

At Delhi University, the ‘Walls of Democracy’ are designated physical spaces on campus where students have traditionally pasted posters, notices, and political messages. They can be located around the North and South campuses, clearly marked with the sign of ‘Wall Of Democracy.’ These function as important democratic forums for student expression—covering protests, social issues, academic campaigns, and political debates. These spaces are specially used during the DUSU elections but also outside them for free speech and political discourse. 

 

Recently, a video surfaced on the internet, which was then circulated by student organisations, showing university security personnel stopping members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) from pasting posters near the St Stephen’s campus wall and declaring that ‘Walls of Democracy’ have been removed. This particular incident sparked widespread criticism and concern that the university was shrinking democratic spaces on campus. 

 

The lack of clarity over whether any official order had been issued further added to confusion, leading to uneven enforcement on the ground. This ambiguity intensified tensions between student groups and the administration, turning what began as a localised confrontation into a university-wide debate on the regulation of student expression.

 

Many allegations surfaced, such as boards identifying these walls being removed without prior notice or without any consultations with the student bodies. The decision is being claimed as a move to undermine political dialogue within the university. SFI and other student unions further submitted a formal complaint to the proctorial office demanding their reinstatement. 

 

The University replied to this uproar today in a statement reported by The Indian Express—denying the removal of the walls. The Registrar said, 

 

“The wall of democracy is going to stay intact. It is not being removed under any circumstances. We’ve only stopped students from pasting posters for the time being as the wall was getting full and we wanted to clean it.”

 

He also mentioned in the statement that the university is planning on adding more such walls ahead of the student elections to expand democratic spaces and prevent defacement on campuses. The university acknowledged the confusion around the incident and said it would investigate the conduct of security personnel seen in the video. 

 

Read Also: Foreign Ties: a Conversation with an Exchange Student in DU

 

Image Credits: DU Beat

 

Shreya Bhushan 

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
News

‘A Tragedy to Watch’: Amitav Ghosh on the Decline of Delhi University

By

Amitav Ghosh recalled Delhi University’s rich intellectual life in the 1970s–80s, lamented its current decline, and discussed his new book Ghost-Eye, reflecting on climate change and Calcutta’s uniquely contrarian identity.

The revered author, Amitav Ghosh, recently remarked that

“Delhi University in the 1970s and 1980s… was as good as any university in the world. I went from Delhi University to Oxford in 1978, and while I loved Oxford — it was a wonderful place — intellectually speaking, Delhi University was far more exciting. We had read more and engaged much more deeply with our subjects. 

He further added, “To see the university now being literally destroyed in this way feels like a tragedy. What we see in the US and elsewhere is that institutions take a very long time to build, but they can be destroyed almost overnight — and that is exactly what we are witnessing.” 

He made the statement at an event in conversation with writer Keshava Guha at the Ambassador hotel, discussing his recently launched, 11th book “Ghost-Eye”. The book includes a poignant perspective on the repercussions of climate change. 

The book also pays homage to the city of Calcutta in which he grew up, “Calcutta continues to go in the opposite direction from the rest of the world. It’s a very unique kind of identity: whatever everyone else is doing, Calcutta is exactly the opposite,” he said on Monday at his book’s official launch. 

He further stated the omnipresence of the Bengali voice in him wherever he goes “If I open my study window in Brooklyn, I hear Bengali, coming up from the streets. It’s a strange thing. But still in the minds of Bengalis, Bengali continues to be a language of intimacy rather than a language, an international language as such. So there are always these strange sorts of experiences,” he said.

 

Read Also: This Time Holding The Grip Tighter Than Ever: Du Gets Ready For 2026

 

Image Credits- The Wire 

 

Divyanshi Dusad

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By