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Forms of Compliance- How St. Stephens is holding accountability?

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Once an institution known for prolific discourse, intellectually developing excellence, and an exclusive institution of Delhi University, is facing turmoil, the issue is non-compliance with filling out a feedback form.

 

St. Stephen’s is facing fresh allegations of ‘forms or freedom’ by a bunch of Stephanites. It comes in the face of challenges faced by students from the administration, by withholding their documents and processing any certification, if they do not fill out an IQAC form.  The IQAC student survey form is a part of a routine survey from the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, which is chaired by Professor John Varghese. When asked about the motive behind this survey, a student tells- 

This is the student satisfaction survey that every student is required to fill out. While there is no pressure to fill in good data, the pressure is to fill in the form. Last year as well, students were hounded several times with a reminder to fill in the data. This is because they want to assess each student’s perception of college, and data is the key to control.”

 

The cell works out in a structured way, as every society consists of these DCS(Data Collection Specialists) who later assess and report the quality of the operations of society and faculty in general, though the data regarding society activities is very minutely accumulated and is followed up by a very anonymous procedure. In terms of faculty, students are asked whether the course is completed timely or not, and how many classes were held for each paper. According to a few students, it is claimed by the authorities that the data helps to augment the academic quality.  The movement hence walks a tightrope that if this survey is going at a cost of depriving students of their official documents, then there is some course correction that needs to be followed.

However, it is said that the same tactic was followed in earlier academic sessions too, to fill the feedback form, students never really came through it. But a persistent insistence on filling the feedback form, which should be a voluntary-based approach, is now being used to threaten the students to do the same for processing any academic-related requests. Though students assure that the academic quality is not compromised, the college remains a safe space for them. This matter holds a vital issue to assess the current situation, especially at an institution that is known to dissent and provide a healthy space for discussion. This is still a developing story. 

 

Image Credits: St. Stephen’s Instagram page.

Kinjal Sharma

[email protected]

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Around the Campus

Crisis on Campus? Fourth Bomb Threat Throws Delhi University into Turmoil

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Bomb threats targeting three DU colleges and 45+ schools have triggered mass evacuations and deepening fear. As students, parents, and teachers grapple with repeated hoaxes, a pressing question emerges: what does safety mean in a city where panic arrives before the school bell even rings?

Amid a string of unsettling events, fresh panic gripped Delhi University as three more colleges, Indraprastha College for Women, Hindu College, and Shri Ram College of Commerce received bomb threats via email earlier today. North Delhi Police confirmed the threats and stated that security protocols were immediately activated, with police teams conducting thorough campus searches. This marks the fourth such incident this week, escalating anxiety across students, parents, and staff. Notably, these threats are not limited to higher education institutions. Over the past few days, more than 45 schools across Delhi have also been targeted with similar alarming emails.

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation, with cybercrime units working to trace the origin of these messages. While all previous threats have turned out to be hoaxes, they have nonetheless triggered widespread panic, repeated evacuations, and intense law enforcement activity. The surge began on July 14, when three Delhi schools received bomb threats that led to bomb squad inspections; none of which revealed any explosive devices. On July 15, St. Stephen’s College and St. Thomas School were forced into lockdowns after receiving emails about IEDs and RDX being planted on their premises. The case was later traced to a 12-year-old student, who was detained briefly and released following counseling. The threats continued on July 16, when seven private schools received similar emails, prompting early morning evacuations and city-wide searches. No explosives were found in any of these cases, but the wave of threats has deeply unsettled educational communities across the capital.

Reacting to the developments, former Delhi Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, took to social media to voice her concern. She condemned the government’s failure to ensure the safety of children, writing: 

More than 20 schools have received bomb threats today! Think of the trauma that children, parents, and teachers would be going through. BJP controls all 4-engines of governance in Delhi, and is yet not able to provide any safety or security to our children! Shocking.”

Cyber experts and senior officers of the Delhi Police investigating the threats add that the senders are using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and the dark web. According to police, all the emails received were similar, containing vague but threatening information, sent before school timings and often through international servers. The entire matter is under probe, they added. They warn that the use of VPNs and routing through the web proxies is hindering traceability like “chasing a shadow in a room full of mirrors” and as they “find a clue, it disappears behind another layer of anonymity.”

Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, a similar pattern emerged today as around 40 private schools across the city received hoax bomb threats. Chilling emails claimed TNT devices had been planted, prompting immediate evacuations and bomb squad deployments. However, no explosives were found.  While none of these incidents yielded actual devices, the recurring pattern of early-morning emails, mass panic, and the rapid dismantling by anti-sabotage teams creates a troubling continuity that heightens anxiety across these two cities and places growing strain on emergency response systems. Until those responsible are held accountable and preventive systems strengthened, Delhi’s educational spaces, in particular, remain vulnerable; not just to physical danger, but to the looming cloud of fear.

Image Source: Deccan Herald

Neeraja Unnikrishnan

[email protected]

 

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DUB News

Key Faculty Members Laid Off at LSR; the Ad-Hoc Crisis Strikes Again

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The Delhi University Admin Cycle of ad-hoc replacement strikes at LSR, as reputed teachers from departments get replaced. What follows is absolute silence from the college administration.

After the ad-hoc replacements of Mr. Samarveer Singh at Hindu College, and Dr. Itisha Nagar at KNC, the unsettling trend continues, with Ms. Pushplata Kumar from LSR being the most recent case. 

On 20th July, 2024, the esteemed Department of Journalism, at Lady Shri Ram College(LSR) suffered a crucial setback when the news of the non-retention of Ms. Pushplata was received. This comes as a part of the continual cycle of Delhi University, wherein the ad-hoc professors are being granted permanent status, while some ad-hoc professors are being replaced from their posts. However, the lack of transparency in the process, alleged political powerplay, and unjust temperament had sparked concern and discontentment amongst the students, at the loss of such qualified and cherished academicians. Protests by both DUTA and the students, have not resulted in any change in the opaque procedure undertaken by the University of Delhi.

Ms. Pushplata, who had been teaching under the aegis of the Journalism Department of LSR for 9 years as an ad-hoc professor, experienced a similar situation when her non-retention was notified. This comes as a shock to the students, most of whom credit her for their ignited interest in the subjects of Advertisement, Public Relations, Media Industry Management et al., and as a constant source of guidance in their career trajectories. Given the brevity of the situation, DU Beat reached out to students from the Department, and under the guise of Anonymity, they spoke about the unjust mannerism under which the department functions, the replacement of Pushplata Ma’am, being one of the many commented one of the Students, expanding upon the mismanagement within the Journalism Department. They further stated that most of the guest lectures and talks under their tenure were held by Ms. Pushplata, and through the exceptional network she had within the industry, she would also provide aid for students to obtain better career opportunities.

Since 2016, LSR has been the top college within DU for Journalism; for 5 consecutive years, and in 2020, the top four positions within Journalism were taken by LSR, so when the teacher(s) are giving such exemplary results, then their non-retention comes up as a greater dismay,

Another student from the department spoke about the zeal she developed within them for the subjects, sharing that,

She taught us the practicality of the subject, taught us how we can move beyond the scope of televised advertisements, and work for change. Ma’am made sure we attended film festivals, and introduced us to people from the industry, so that we could realize and work on the scope of our careers.

These testimonials from students become a vital point, in correlation to the fact that these decisions have a direct impact on the academic lives of the students, and thus, their consensus and feedback should be an important parameter before undertaking a drastic step like this. 

The students took to social media to raise their opposition against this drastic step. This is a remarkable moment, given the “reduced sense of political temperament amongst the newcomers”, as alleged by an alumna of the college. In conversation with DU Beat, one of the students mentioned how this apoliticism of the students is a reflection of the improper supervision of the admin and the senior management of LSR,

Here at LSR, one can see the difference when a student enters here, and exits. They don’t bother talking about their concerns, for they know nothing would happen and a ‘Blame Chain’ would be formulated.

The incident at LSR further adds to the chain of questions about the opacity and unjust mechanisms used by the colleges and selection committees. And a perplexity about the lack of consensus from the students regarding a decision that not only has an impact on the reputation of the college, but also the academic (and otherwise) lives of the students. 

 

Read Also: https://dubeat.com/2024/07/05/dus-faculty-of-law-postpones-end-term-llb-exams-hours-before-the-scheduled-date/

 

Featured Image Credits: DU Beat

 

Shikhar Pathak

[email protected]

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Campus Central

DUSU launches ‘One Day DUSU President’s Scheme’

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DUSU

DUSU launches ‘One Day DUSU President’s Scheme’ to foster leadership skills and provide a platform to students. Under the scheme students from the varsity will get to head the students’ body for a day. 

The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) on Monday, July 10th, announced a ‘One Day DUSU President’s Scheme’ under which the students from the varsity will get to head the students’ body for a day. The programme was announced at a Student Leader’s Meet, organised by DUSU on the occasion of National Student’s Day.   

Students will have a unique opportunity to serve as DUSU president for a day under the scheme, which requires students to fill out a Google form, indicating their leadership skills in various sectors, including sports, academics, environment, art and culture, among others. Photos and videos must be attached with their respective projects as proof. The review of the application, shortlisting of candidates, and the final interview will be done by the Executive Council. During the interview, the candidates can discuss projects, showcase their abilities as well as present their vision. 

After the evaluation by the Executive Council, the selected students will be publicly announced by the Council, recognising their leadership skills and contributions. The initiative is aimed at fostering and encouraging leadership skills and participation and provides a platform for students to contribute to the decision-making process within the university. 

Student leaders play a crucial role in continuing the great legacy of DUSU leaders who have spearheaded student movements and served as inspirations for youth in India today. We hereby launch the One Day DUSU President scheme to give a platform to common students and our aspiring leaders to head the students’ union. The responsibility of student leaders is to lead by example and contribute to the betterment of society,”

said Akshit Dahiya, DUSU president, in conversation with The Indian Express.

 

Read Also: “Circle of Suspicion”: AISA Activists Put on House Arrest During PM’s Visit to DU

 

Image Source: The Hindu

 

Vanshika Ahuja 

[email protected]

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Campus Central

Fan Falls on a Student in Laxmibai College

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Amidst infrastructural issues present in various colleges, a fan fell from the ceiling over a student causing an injury on her head at Laxmibai College. Read to find out more.

 

On 22 April, 2022, a fan fell from the ceiling of Laxmibai College, University of Delhi, causing injury to the student sitting beneath it. The principal of the college, Pratyush Vatsala, informed that the student faced minor injuries and nothing serious or major. This accident caused the student a minor injury on her head. According to her, as soon as this accident took place, the student was given immediate first aid and her parents were immediately called to the college. Soon after, parents, along with some college officials took the student to hospital and as informed by the principal, she is doing fine. 

 

Reportedly, the exasperated students started questioning the college infrastructure after the accident. They also claimed that there is inadequate availability of drinking water and the washrooms are quite unhygienic. Further, the Principal added that the primary reason that caused the accident is unknown. She claimed that the maintenance committee of the college too did not find any faults in the functioning of the fan. According to her, both the teachers and the students who were present in the room during the accident did not hear any noise or faced any other disturbance from the fan. However, reportedly, she has asked the concerned authority to check all the fans in the college. 

 

This is not the only college under DU facing infrastructural issues. Kalindi College, DU, has major infrastructural problems. From poor desks and peeled walls to serious hygiene issues in regard to washrooms and drinking water, these colleges need immediate attention to improve their infrastructure. 

 

In Conversation with a student from Laxmibai College, informed DU Beat that the college has not yet disclosed the details or any updates in regard to the accident. All that the students are aware of is the fact that the students of the college are safe and there has not been any major accident. 

 

Besides this, both the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) have submitted a few maintenance issues present in the college. In response to this, reportedly, the college has asked for the details of these issues which would assist the former in order to solve them. 

 

Read Also: AISA Venky Holds a Signature Campaign for Infrastructural Issues

Colleges Struggle with Infrastructural Issues in the Face of Sudden Reopening

 

Featured Image Credits: Laxmibai College

 

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

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News

SFI AUD’s Peace March halted by Administration

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SFI AUD organised a peace march on April 21, 2022 to protest against the communal violence taking place in Jahangirpuri. However, it was disrupted by the AUD administration. Read to find out more. 

 

On April 21, 2022, the Students Federation of India (SFI) Ambedkar University of Delhi (AUD) Kashmere Gate unit had called for a peaceful protest against the communal attacks on the minorities in the country and against the “anti-encroachment” drive of the BJP ruled North Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). According to them, this drive has been led in light of destabilising the socio-economic capacity of the minority in the area of Jahangirpuri. The students were completely equipped to carry out a peaceful march outside the CR area and were singing songs. This is when the AUD administration including Registrar, Proctor, and the Security Officer aggressively disrupted the march by pushing around students and tearing the posters and placards made by students, as claimed by SFI AUD. The administration came along with a horde of security guards and put a number of barricades to stop the march organised by SFI and other students of the University. 

 

In conversation with a student of AUD, Kislay, told DU Beat about SFI’s peace march that took place on Thursday. According to him, it was the lunchtime and SFI did not want the disruption of classes for peace march so around 1pm, there were around 15-20 members who started singing songs and held placards which had ‘SFI against communalism’, ‘SFI against communal violence’, and ‘SFI for peace’ written on them. Suddenly, the registrar and proctor along with 4-5 guards, which included no female guards, came charging against them. Kislay claimed that they were asked  to take down the posters on the pretense that students can not unionise within the campuses. However, it is not unconstitutional to unionise but the administration did not want the march to take place, as stated by the student. 

The administration used to verbally abuse students but it is for the first time that I saw the registrar and proctor physically abuse the students. The administration has stooped so low that they are abusing students for their march for peace.

-Kislay, member of SFI AUD

 

Kislay further added that at that moment, the administration threatened one of the students to throw them out of the university. There was a constant scuffling from the administration. Also, in the heat of the moment the registrar and proctor started pushing the students by their hands and disrupted the march as they wished, according to the student. 

He also claimed that interestingly, at the end of the protest, which ended with a speech instead of the public meeting that was supposed to take place, the students who were a part of the ABVP started intimidating the protesters and both the registrar and the proctor were not at the scene.  

 

Such a behavior from the part of administration is not only a blatant attack on the fundamental rights of students to organize within the campus, but also is an attack on their rights as students of the University to peacefully assemble. We would like to remind the University administration that students of public universities have the right under the Lyngdoh Committee Guidelines to unionize into organizations.

-Said Nadia, Vice President of SFI AUD Unit

 

Besides this, the SFI AUD felt quite important to mention the aggressive attitude of the members of the administration. According to them, students were gathering peacefully and preparing for the march but it was the members of the administration who threatened the former and asked to remove SFI AUD from the posters, on the pretext that student organizations do not have the right to talk about political issues on campus. 

 

The whole attempt by the administration is a reflection of what kind of politics is acceptable within the campus space. The administration clearly showed that any attempt made by progressive organizations of students will be quelled violently with threats of suspension and rustication.

-Anuraag, Joint Secretary of SFI AUD Unit.

 

In another conversation with the SFI AUD President, Anil, told DU Beat about the actions of the administration. According to him, this is not the first time that the administration is coming down on students. He mentioned that recently, during the Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations, the administration tried stopping the celebrations. Similarly, whatever events they organise, the administration has always tried to stop it. Moreover, the SFI AUD has been asked multiple times to remove their name from placards and even the memorandums which they have submitted in lieu of infrastructural issues or other issues. The organisation takes it as curbing the voices of the organised student movements in a university because the administration is scared of the approach taken up by such organised movements. This also points toward the saffronised administration in AUD. This is because the way this programme was stopped shows the right wing nature of the administration and the way they are functioning. 

 

This event was called out for making a statement for the concerned students of AUD against the communal violence that is taking place all over the country, especially against the muslims. So, the way it was stopped also makes us think of the right wing nature that the AUD administration is showcasing right now.

-Anil, President, SFI AUD

 

The SFI AUD and the student community of AUD condemns unequivocally the actions of the administration. According to them, it is clear that they are protecting and are condoning the communal forces of the nation and inside the campus. Hence, the student body continues to condemn such actions. 

 

Read Also: SFI Hansraj Condemns Administration for Hiding Cow Research Centre

SFI Demands to Reopen The Central Universities

 

Featured Image Credits: SFI AUD

 

Ankita Baidya

[email protected]

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Admissions 2019

DU Extends Relaxation for Outstation ECA Aspirants

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University of Delhi (DU) extended a day’s relaxation in case of any delay incurred while arriving at the venue in time for the extra-curricular activities (ECA) trials for outstation students who have their trials scheduled on 25th and 26th June.

Outstation students witnessed a sigh of relief as University of Delhi (DU) declared relaxation in case of delay incurred while reaching the venue in time for the extra-curricular activities (ECA) trials. A day’s relaxation shall be extended by the varsity to the outstation students.

The ECA trials- a two level process– have commenced today,  kick-starting with Indian Classical Music (Vocal),  Dance, and Debate. The trials will be continuing till 5th  July, the results of which will be announced on 6th July on the official website of the University. This would be followed by the final round of selection, thereby giving the selected students a gateway to Univerity of Delhi.

The spatio-temporal glitches which are evident during the admission season turn out to be the major cause of stress for many outstation applicants. Hence, the flexibility in such a case emerges as a bliss. However, the relaxation is only extended for students having their trial slots on 25th and 26th June 2019.

“The relaxation is a welcoming step, as the schedule put forth by the University of Delhi has undergone frequent changes and delays. These delays and changes have posed as problems, given that the arrangements for transportation are difficult to be settled on a short notice,” says Shreya M., an outstation applicant from Odisha.

As reported by the Asian Age, an official of the University said, “The applicants who are unable to reach on given dates are instructed to reach venue at the earliest date, which is preferably on June 27 and contact the registration desk of the relevant category. The relaxation option is not available for those candidates whose trials are scheduled for any other dates for a category or for those categories for which trials are scheduled for a single day”.

The official site of the University of Delhi has also laid emphasis on the fact that the condition is selectively applicable for those who reside outside the National Capital Region (NCR), having their respective trials scheduled on 25th and 26th June.

 

Feature Image Credits: DUB Archives

 

Priyanshi Banerjee

[email protected]

 

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