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LSR Students React to the Principal’s Statement on BJP’s Official Instagram Page

By DU Beat April 13, 2026

LSR Principal, Kanika K. Ahuja faces extreme backlash from the students after her statement on Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam gets featured on BJP’s Official Instagram Handle.

On the 13th of April, the Bharatiya Janata Party posted on their official Instagram Page a series of reactions praising the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, that is, the Women’s Reservation Bill. Amongst those featured was the Principal of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Dr. Kanika K. Ahuja.

In the video she addresses the Women’s Reservation Bill calling it “a constitutional course correction.” She goes on to say that the bill “reflects the shift from women’s development to women’s led development” and remains hopeful for the prospects it shall bring to the “women leaders” graduating from LSR. What appears as an ordinary video however, received raging reactions from the student community of LSR, including current students and alumni who expressed grave concerns over the college’s state of affairs.

The comment section of her video—what appears at first glance to have been recorded not at an official event, but exclusively for posting on BJP’s Page—has been exploding with comments from students across colleges, especially LSR bashing the Principal for her statement. One comment reads,

Women empowerment—yes sure. When we were not given a chance to raise our voices. When we were not allowed to make societies. When we were not allowed to invite some ‘specific speakers’ because we are APOLITICAL?”

Another comment reads, “Political neutrality in the rulebook of the Union and political endorsements in the feed. Interesting.”

The most common point of criticism that is presented by the students through their sarcastic remarks in the comments section remains against the ‘apolitical stance’ of Lady Shri Ram College, one that has repeatedly been reasserted, especially by the current Principal as reported by multiple students. Recently, an exhibition held by a society of LSR during the annual fest, Tarang 2026, was shut down after being taken out of context, due to its criticism of power hierarchy and certain political figures. Reportedly the Principal responded to the closure saying, “You need to understand that we as a government college can not side with or make any political statements.”

Similar incidents have sparked over the past year when certain performing societies were made to change their performance scripts to avoid “controversy” and maintain an apolitical stance, along with the Diwali festival of LSR’s NSS, titled ‘Noor’ for as long as students can remember, being changed to ‘Varshik Samaroh Diwas’.

The Deepak Vohra controversy last year, LSR’s non-affiliation with DUSU, and the college’s refusal to let Nivedita Menon, an ex-faculty member and an alumni of LSR, enter campus due to invitation by the non-affiliated LSR SFI was further pointed out by students who remain outraged by the Principal’s recording a video for BJP’s page. One comment writes,

Same college that did not allow Nivedita Menon’s session to happen btw on the pretext that it was organised by a non-affiliated organisation. Is LSR affiliated with the beejaypee now?”

A graduate from LSR, assumingly familiar Dr. Kanika K. Ahuja as a professor, before she became the Principal writes, “From preaching in psych classes about non-partisanship, emancipation, and what not to this.” An anonymously-led Instagram Page of LSR called for a protest in lieu of the same on the 15th of April.

However, while a majority of students continue to express their concerns and outrage over the impact of this video across Instagram, X, and Whatsapp, some students share their solidarity with their Principal. One comment writes, “Funny how every second comment here is trying to define ‘apolitical’. Reality? No one cares. The institution stands strong anyway. And we welcome the bill and ma’am’s stand.”

A similar sentiment was expressed by a fellow student on her Instagram story,

She’s speaking in women’s favour still getting hate cuz political parties matters more than women empowerment. Even I’m not a particular pol party supporter anymore but we should actually praise her for raising her voice on women’s empowerment rather than hating on her.”

What remains the larger question behind this outrage versus sympathy is the truth of being an apolitical college, especially an apolitical ‘women’s’ college in the 21st Century, within the space of Delhi University, and at large India. What consequences does this tag of ‘apolitical’ bear, not just upon the students, but the faculty and the administration, and what is the way forward to prevent as an alumni writes, “an institution undoing its own historical legacy”?

Image Credits: Vanya for DU Beat

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Students Respond as ANI EIC Smita Prakash Alleges Disrespect as Chief Guest at Miranda House

By DU Beat April 12, 2026

ANI Editor Mrs. Smita Prakash alleged disrespectful treatment at Miranda House by the MUN Club stating that the audience had not shown up to her session. However, contradictory reports state that several students from different colleges had queued up outside the venue for the session.

On 11th April, Asian News International (ANI) editor, Mrs. Smita Prakash, wrote on X that she was invited to Miranda House as the Chief Guest by the MUN Club, Suvakta for a speaker session at the Mini Auditorium. She had been invited as a part of the MUN Club’s fest Oratoria 2026 for a speaker session on Day 2, to address the audience on “Feminism and Global Politics”. However, despite arriving before the scheduled time, she posted in her video that none of the students nor members of the staff were present to greet her, except barely 4 to 5 students while the event was expected to have a turnout of 150 to 300 attendees.

While the event was scheduled to start at 11:00 AM proceeded by the welcome of the Chief Guest at 11:15 AM, Mrs. Prakash after arriving at 10:58 AM, left the venue around 11:04AM. She took to X at exactly 11:17 AM, expressing her frustration. She expressed distrust about the convener of the event being “supposedly stuck in traffic on a Saturday,” and said that she wanted the principal, students, and staff of Miranda House to learn that “tardiness is equal to disrespect.”

However, according to the President of Suvakta, the participants had queued up outside the venue, as they were instructed, so that their confirmation emails could be checked. She stated that it was 11:00 AM when the emails were being checked and that Mrs. Prakash had requested on arrival for the session to commence earlier than the scheduled time, but due to the infeasibility of the request, the organisers had no choice but to deny.

Speaking to DU Beat, the President dismissed allegations of a boycott on the grounds of conflicting political ideology, revealing that a large number of students, including medical students, students from distant colleges, and IITs, had turned up for the event. She added that the convenors and core council of Suvakta had tried to persuade her to stay, apologising for the inconvenience caused to her, but Mrs Prakash did not wish to listen to their requests. She said,

We were very disappointed, and we even apologised, but unfortunately, the session could not begin. People were very disappointed, so of course, we had to issue a wider apology as well. The formal apology was issued officially by our club at around 4 in the evening,”

A medical student who had left their surgery posting to attend the event, writing to the PR Head of Suvakta, said, “The guest entered and exited all in the course of 10 minutes…she posted a video saying there was no audience. We were right outside waiting.”

Another student attending the event wrote,

“I was super excited about the speaker session because I myself aspire to be a journalist. It was a space filled with [young women and men], and many of us admire and learn from such a public figure. It was so disheartening to see her act like this,”

A student from IIT Delhi, said that they had left their classes in hopes of an insightful interaction. He added,

“We were exploring the stalls before the seminar, around 11 and were just coming to the venue when we saw that ma’am had already left, which was quite disheartening because the session was scheduled to start at 11:15.”

A misunderstanding of the itinerary was what had supposedly caused this miscommunication between the event organisers and the Chief Guest. Miranda House has also issued a formal apology to Mrs. Prakash for the supposed delay both on her email, as published by the Chief Guest, and on LinkedIn. She has publicly accepted the apology on X and wrote, “Thank you Miranda House for this mail. Apology accepted. As we say in Punjabi, mitti pao. Wishing students and faculty the very best for the future.”

However, the event is not likely to be rescheduled. Regardless, Miranda House states that it hopes that Mrs. Prakash will likely return to campus in the near future.

Image Credits: President of Suvakta

Souparnika. S. Rajkumar

souparnika.s.raj@gmail.com

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Students Secure Artist Approval After Overnight Protest at Hansraj College

By DU Beat April 7, 2026

After nearly 20 hours of protest, students at Hansraj College secured permission for an artist performance following a breakthrough meeting with the administration.

Tensions escalated at Block C of Hansraj College as students led an overnight protest against the college administration over alleged last-minute changes to the annual fest plans.

The Students’ Union of Hansraj College claims that the college committee had initially directed them to secure sponsorships and then finalize an artist within the collected budget. According to union members, nearly ₹12 lakh was raised following these instructions, and talks were initiated with singer, Navjot Ahuja.

The President Abhijeet Singh stated that three months ago the administration had asked the Union to raise funds and bring in an artist within their budget, which they successfully did. However, just days before the fest, they were informed that no artists would be allowed due to discipline concerns. Another Union member added that a memorandum had also been signed earlier, granting them autonomy to plan the fest.

However, Principal Rama refuted these claims, stating that the idea of hosting an external artist was never formally approved. She cited safety concerns, noting that such events often lead to overcrowding and unauthorized entry by outsiders. She added that even the previous year no artist had been hosted due to similar reasons.

The protest which happened on Saturday night crossed 20 hours and saw students staying on campus overnight demanding accountability and action. While the administration reportedly acknowledged some of the students’ demands, protesters allege that no concrete steps have been taken so far.

Adding complexity to the situation, several student societies have alleged that they were pressured by union members to join the protest. According to a society president, participation was encouraged through calls suggesting potential consequences, such as restricted access to society spaces or disruption of planned events, if they chose not to show support.

Despite internal disagreements and administrative assurances, students remain firm. “We’re not leaving until something actually changes,” a protester said, emphasizing growing frustration over what they describe as being “ignored after being heard.”

After nearly 20 hours of protest, a meeting between the students and the administration led to a resolution, with authorities granting permission for the artist to perform at the fest.

Image Credit: Manan for DU Beat

Anjali Kumari Jha
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Protesters Detained at Kartavya Path as Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis Deepens

By DU Beat November 11, 2025

Citizens and students protesting Delhi’s hazardous air quality were detained at Kartavya Path after police blocked a march at India Gate, raising concerns over civil liberties.

On 9 November, around 5 p.m., students, citizens, and environmental activists gathered at Kartavya Path to protest the worsening air quality in Delhi. The demonstration, announced as an open call by individual organisers, drew support from groups such as the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Himakhand, and several other collectives.

The protest came amid a sharp spike in air pollution across Delhi, with AQI levels crossing 400 in several areas, categorised as severe by SAFAR. This rise has been accompanied by a surge in respiratory illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly. Protesters demanded greater accountability from the Delhi government and urgent measures to address the public health crisis.

Organisers said police prevented the demonstration from being held at India Gate, citing the absence of official permission. Protesters then moved to Kartavya Path. According to a report by Scroll, one organiser alleged that they had been warned days earlier that an FIR might be filed against them if they proceeded without a permit.

Police detained several people, including women, minors, and media personnel. Protesters reported being “thrashed around and dragged”, and many were injured. While female constables were present at the site, protesters claimed they were not present in the buses during detention—even when women were being transported.

Those detained described being driven around in buses before being taken to a police station, where they were allegedly kept in an open area resembling a “baseball court”. They said they were repeatedly asked for identification, which they refused to provide, and were threatened with legal consequences. Detainees were released around 11:30 p.m. after police recorded their names.

Even after the initial detentions, protesters regrouped for a second demonstration demanding the release of those held. These protesters were also detained, and, according to one account, later released near the Delhi border. Some participants noted that another protest, for stray dogs, was taking place at the same time and location, yet saw no comparable police action.

Meanwhile, ANI quoted DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla as saying that Jantar Mantar is the designated site for protests, not India Gate. Protesters contested this, arguing that the designated site is heavily barricaded, inaccessible to the public, and that permission to protest there is routinely denied.

The events of 9 November underscore growing public anger over Delhi’s hazardous air, malfunctioning pollution monitors, and the perceived inaction of authorities. With respiratory illnesses rising and protective measures out of reach for many, the city’s toxic air continues to raise serious concerns about public health and quality of life.

Photo credits: Muhammad Shahamath, Maktoob

Reva Rawat

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Campus Central

Protest Sparks in Delhi University Following Vice Chancellor’s Speech

By DU Beat October 9, 2025

DU students led out a demonstration on Monday in response to the recent assertion made by the Vice Chancellor in his YouTube video.

Delhi University witnessed a massive protest staged on Monday, 6th October 2025, by the students in response to the statement issued by the Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Singh. The issued remarks included labelling the student movements and activists such as Pinjra Tod and Professor Hany Babu as `Urban Naxal’. This assertion was seen to criminalise and defame the struggle for rights and freedom by the students.

The movement began from Gate No.4 along Chhatra Marg. Slogans and voices were raised in equal amounts, aiming to be heard and to claim campus democracy. The demonstration stayed united despite police deployment and the attempts of the campus guard to break up the group.

The remarks were criticised for being `anti-student’ and `anti-democratic’ by the Secretary of AISA DU, Anjali. She further added that the declaration of the student movements to be anti-national exposes the Vice Chancellor’s ideology to divide the nation and act against our interests. She also thought his remarks to be `contrary to the spirit of academic freedom’.

The students remained unified in the face of the attempts at intimidation made by the authorities and the force used by the guards. It was ensured that the protest took place as planned.

The words of the vice chancellor were seen as his venture to treat the University as his kingdom in the eyes of the students, which led this great wave of rebellion to take place by them.

The video consisting of the statement is from Yogesh Singh’s address at the event `Bharat Manthan 2025: Naxal Mukt Bharat — Ending Red Terror Under Modi’s Leadership’, released on 28th September.

Featured Image source: Instagram

Ananya Agarwal

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Second Hostel admission list delayed in IPCW

By DU Beat September 4, 2025

The result of the 2nd hostel admission list, which was supposed to be announced on August 25th, has been indefinitely delayed. No official circular has been out for the said delay.

Many students have reported that there has been a delay in the second round of hostel admission in IPCW. The circular, which claimed that the result would be out on 25th August, had been delayed as of September 3rd without any circular being issued for the said delay. Many students have expressed their frustration with the delay. The forms have been closed since 19th August, with no official circular of an extended date.

Upon asking the students as to what reasons have been provided by the college for the delay, the reasons have ranged from renovations, which we confirm with a couple of hostelers were true, to spot admission, since many students within the hostel are leaving for their upgraded colleges.

A student who requested anonymity said:

Actually, they [administration] keep giving different reasons for it; first, it was said that renovations have been going on, but now that I mailed again, they said it’s due to the ongoing admission process… as many students have upgraded to different colleges.

Another student who opted for anonymity said:

I did talk to the warden… I was told that it is late because of spot admission. I asked further if there is any notice you know for the results to come out, and I was told no, it will come out at any point in time, and you just have to check the website.”

However, in some cases, the administration has simply told the students to check the website for updates. Looking at the old archive for previous years, it’s a stark contrast; previous hostel admissions lists used to be released timely and in fact, a senior student claimed that hostel lists went on till December in 2023.

Hostels remain one of the more affordable and safer alternatives for students residing outside of Delhi. With colleges already starting and no hostel list in sight, students are stuck between finding a PG or waiting for the hostel admission list.

We have contacted the hostel warden of IPCW, but as of yet, we have not received any response.

Image Credit: Indraprastha College for Women’s website

Reva Rawat
revarawat2007@gmail.com

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Students Stage Protest Against Fee Hike in SBSC

By DU Beat August 28, 2025

Students at Shaheed Bhagat Singh College protest a controversial fee hike, citing poor infrastructure and a lack of transparency. Tensions rise as the Delhi Police monitors the scene while the administration remains silent. The demonstration highlights growing unrest over educational costs and unmet promises. Urgent changes are demanded.

At 1 a.m. on 28 August 2025 Shaheed Bhagat Singh College’s gates encountered unfamiliar knocks. A group of students dissatisfied with the fee hike citing infrastructure development and quality reassurance showed up ready—per aspera ad astra—to protest their way to change. In a statement to DU Beat, one student mentioned the collapsing ceilings of the newly built reading room at the onset of the first monsoon rain and the poor quality of the reconstructed walls. He said, “in the past two years, we have experienced an annual fee hike. Yet, the quality of development is not maintained. What we demand today is a reduction in these continual hikes and an infrastructural development through the Delhi University’s official grants.”

With chants of ‘the fate of education in Bhagat Singh’s country’, the SBSC’s entrance was swarming with Delhi Police cars, who kept a close eye on the protesters even inside the campus. The entrance was blocked several times today, and two guards, one male and one female, were the only ones handling the crowd. With no words from the Principal, Prof. Arun Kumar Atree, the protest is foreseen to continue until tomorrow. This leads to ambiguity in the formal fee payment process and does not provide any relief.

Image Credits: Shreya Bhushan

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Students Stage Mega Protest at Deshbandhu College Against Fee Hike and Poor Facilities

By DU Beat August 22, 2025

Students of Deshbandhu College, DU, staged a massive protest against fee hikes and poor facilities, highlighting issues in labs, sports infrastructure, Wi-Fi, medical room, and basic amenities.

Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, witnessed a massive student protest today as several students gathered outside the Admin Office to demand better facilities and to oppose what they termed as “unjustified fee hikes.” The protest was organised under the leadership of Sarthak Singh, President of ABVP, Deshbandhu College, who spearheaded the campaign with the slogan: “No More Excuses, No More Lies – Students’ Voices Will Rise!”

The protest began at 11:00 AM on 22nd August, drawing students from various departments who expressed anger over infrastructural gaps and rising costs of education. Holding placards and shouting slogans, students demanded immediate redressal of their grievances.

At the heart of the protest was the demand for reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, which students argued is indispensable for academic work, research, and digital submissions. Many students complained that repeated assurances by the administration had yielded little progress, leaving them at a disadvantage compared to other colleges. Equally pressing was the issue of the college medical room, which, according to students, lacks both equipment and personnel to handle emergencies. Calls for a functional and well-equipped facility echoed throughout the demonstration.

Speaking at the demonstration, Sarthak Singh, ABVP leader, said:

Education is a right, not a privilege. We will not tolerate exploitation in the name of infrastructure when students lack access to even the most basic facilities. The administration must listen to us.

Another female ABVP leader of Deshbandhu College raised some important concerns:

There are some very common problems, such as girls’ washrooms, Wi-Fi connectivity, and drinking water. The college holds zero accountability towards these basic responsibilities, and we must raise our voice in unison to demand answers from the administration.

A major concern among students has been the inadequate state of the science laboratories, where a persistent shortage of essential chemicals and basic apparatus has disrupted regular academic work. Many practical sessions remain incomplete, leaving students unable to meet required coursework standards. Alongside this, the college’s sports infrastructure has also drawn criticism. Facilities are limited, equipment is outdated, and the available space fails to cater to the needs of a growing student population. Together, these shortcomings reflect what students describe as a broader neglect of academic and extracurricular resources.

Featured Image Credits: DU Beat

Madhav Choudhary

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NSUI Launches Protest Demanding DU to Implement 12 Days of Menstrual Leave Per Semester Policy

By DU Beat August 15, 2025

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) launched a protest on 13th August at the Arts Faculty of Delhi University’s North Campus calling for 12 days of menstrual leave per semester for female students of DU. Using the slogan, ‘From Pain to Power,’ and imprinting nearby walls with red handprints, the protest gained traction from students across the DU circuit.

The demonstration, carrying out a signature campaign in furtherance of their advocacy, was held under police supervision.

“Every signature is a stand for dignity, equality, and the right of female students to rest without stigma,” NSUI had claimed via a post on their official Instagram account.

Varun Choudhary, the nationwide President of NSUI emphasised on menstrual leave as a basic right for every female student, stating that, “We will continue the fight until Delhi University implements this rule, as this provision exists in many universities in India and abroad. NSUI has also fought for this in Panjab University,” he said.

According to the student outfit, menstrual health significantly influences female students’ academic outcomes, mental well-being, and active involvement in campus life. They emphasised that neglecting this concern often leaves students with the difficult choice of missing classes, or they get bound to endure considerable discomfort merely to satisfy attendance criteria, not excluding other curricular commitments that they have.

NSUI urged Delhi University to formulate policies that accommodate female students’ plight in order to make campus more inclusive and gender sensitive. The organisation vowed to continue their efforts to urge educational institutions to implement multi-stakeholder policies.

Image Credits: NSUI Delhi via Instagram

Divyanshi Dusad
divyanshidusad@gmail.com

Also Read: DUSU and Central Council Elections 2025-2026: Official Timeline Announced

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SFI terms ABVP a ‘Rapist Organization’ ; Stages a Protest at Arts Faculty, DU

By DU Beat August 6, 2025

SFI staged a protest at the Arts Faculty, DU on 6th August 2025, demanding action against ABVP for its alleged role in multiple campus sexual violence cases across India.

SFI (Student Federation of India) members led by Sohan Yadav, President of SFI Central Delhi area, demonstrated a protest at the Faculty of Arts, University of Delhi on 6th August 2025. The demonstration was held in solidarity with a student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, whose tragic death in July has sparked national outrage and renewed scrutiny of the alleged misconduct and impunity associated with members of the BJP-affiliated student group, ABVP.

The 20-year-old student died after self-immolating on campus in July 2025. The victim had reportedly faced sexual harassment from a faculty member and had filed multiple complaints, which were allegedly ignored by the college administration. The case took a shocking turn when the Odisha Crime Branch arrested Subhra Sambit Nayak, the state joint secretary of ABVP, and Jyoti Prakash Biswal, a student and initial “witness” who had recorded the incident instead of intervening. Both were charged with abetment to suicide and criminal conspiracy. The arrests drew intense backlash and further highlighted the alleged impunity enjoyed by ABVP leaders across educational institutions.

Coming on the heels of the IIT-BHU rape case, this incident has fueled growing public concern over the ABVP’s repeated involvement in campus violence and sexual abuse allegations. The accused—Kunal Pandey, Saksham Patel, and Anand (alias Abhishek Chauhan)—were later identified as members of the BJP’s Varanasi IT cell, with Pandey and Patel holding convenor positions. The delayed arrests and eventual bail granted to two of them in July 2024 sparked nationwide outrage. Protests by students and civil society groups demanded institutional reforms and the implementation of gender-sensitisation mechanisms. Allegations also surfaced that ABVP even attempted to disrupt campus protests

Further, recently the Rajasthan police booked three ABVP members, who were accused of canvassing for a student leader seeking a ticket from the ABVP for students’ union elections in the university.

Sohan Kumar Yadav addressed the crowd and importantly, pointed out

Why was there such a wilful negligence by the Chief Minister’s Office who had received all the complaints? This shows very clearly the involvement of the state government.

Sohan Yadav further claimed in the protest that ABVP’s alleged involvement in multiple rape cases in University campuses across the country is a recurring trend, and the body must claim responsibility for the same.

SFI Student members demanded strict action against the alleged involvement of ABVP in these rape cases and termed it a ‘rapist organisation’ which shields people who outrage the modesty of women, especially on educational campuses.

Featured image credits- SFI Instagram page

Madhav Choudhary

madhavchaudhary1209@gmail.com

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