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Kerala Students at DU Allege Police Brutality and Humiliation After Clash near Red Fort

By DU Beat October 3, 2025

Two Kerala students from Delhi University alleged mob assault, police brutality, cultural humiliation, and extortion near the Red Fort. MP John Brittas demanded an inquiry, while police cited contradictory hawker testimonies disputing claims.

Two students from Kerala were subjected to violence and false accusations of theft last week near the Red Fort area. These students were from their 1st year of undergraduate studies at Delhi University’s Zakir Hussain Delhi College. Taking action on the incident, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written to Satish Golcha, Delhi Police Commissioner. He demanded an investigation into what he termed “an inhuman attack, custodial assault and cultural humiliation”.

The letter stated that the students – identified as Aswanth I T and Sudhin K – were rudely confronted by a group of scoundrels on September 24th and falsely accused of theft. The letter alleged,

Instead of extending protection, the policemen colluded with the mob… The students were dragged, beaten with fibre lathis, stomped upon, stripped and humiliated in the most degrading manner.”

The letter further informed that their footwear and phones were seized non-consensually. They were allegedly coerced into false confessions, and one of them was mocked for wearing a mundu, a traditional Kerala attire. The MP described the incident as “custodial brutality” and an “affront to the cultural and linguistic diversity enshrined in our Constitution.” The CPI(M) MP demanded a robust inquiry to find the culprits as well as the return of the belongings of the victims.

Police have responded by stating that an inquiry has been enforced based on the allegations. However, they have been presented with different and contradictory testimonies of the incident. DCP (North) Raja Banthia said,

We have ordered an enquiry into their allegations. However, hawkers have alleged that they came five-six days ago and purchased goods worth Rs 14,000. They paid Rs 4,000 in cash and showed an online payment of Rs 10,000, which was not actually made. When they came again on the 24th, the hawkers identified them, and a scuffle took place.”

Some hawkers brought the two students to the Red Fort police after allegedly thrashing them in the market, according to a source of the police. DCP Banthia said,

“The matter was settled, and both parties left. There was no PCR call or complaint or any representation to supervisory officers regarding this incident by the two students. As far as the allegations of beating by police personnel are concerned, nothing has been substantiated till now. But we are further enquiring into the matter”

However, Sudhin, one of the victims, has another side to tell:

Instead of helping us, he slapped both of us multiple times and made us sit on our knees in front of all the people. He took my friend’s phone and gave it to the locals. My friend’s phone was an iPhone, and he tried to take back the phone and run, but he was beaten a lot and dragged to a police booth.”

He further added, “Another police officer, an ASI [assistant sub-inspector], started hitting us. He removed our lungi and started hitting us and kicking us on our faces and private parts with his boots. We have been in Delhi for a month and did not know Hindi very well.” He said that when his friend struggled to speak, the ASI kicked him, saying, “Talk in Hindi,” Mr Sudhin said. “It is still difficult for him to eat food even now.” He said the police officers at the booth also made fun of them for wearing lungis.

Mr Sudhin was allegedly tortured at the police booth and was coerced into accepting the charges and making a settlement of Rs. 20,000.

Image Source– Just Dial

Divyanshi Dusad

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NSUI Garners Sachin Pilot’s Support Ahead of DUSU Polls

By DU Beat September 17, 2025

Congress leader Sachin Pilot campaigns at Delhi University on behalf of NSUI ahead of DUSU 2025 polls, backing Joslyn Nandita Choudhary and team as students debate for change against the ABVP dominance.

Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot on Monday visited Delhi University’s North Campus, meeting students and expressing confidence that the National Students’ Union of India, or NSUI will sweep the upcoming Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections.

During his visit, Pilot, joined by the NSUI National President Varun Choudhary, and Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav, interacted with students at Miranda House, Campus Law Centre, and Hindu College. Outside Hindu College, tensions briefly flared when supporters of the NSUI and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) came face-to-face, shouting slogans before security personnel intervened to restore order.

Pilot said,

Delhi University is one of the most important universities of our country. All four NSUI candidates will surely win with the support and trust of students,”

He asserted that students were eager for change, citing the growing discontent with both the Union and State Governments. “The students believe in our ideology and vision, which will be reflected in the results,” he added.

The visit was part of a larger outreach programme by NSUI to highlight student-centric issues such as campus facilities, hostels, and academic reforms. According to an official statement, the campaign is aimed at mobilising support across colleges and presenting a credible alternative to the ABVP, which has traditionally dominated student politics at DU.

This year’s NSUI panel features Joslyn Nandita Choudhary, a 23-year-old postgraduate student of Buddhist Studies, as the Presidential candidate. Choudhary is the first woman in 17 years to contest for the top post. The panel also includes Rahul Jhansla for vice president, Kabir for secretary, and Lav Kush Badhana for joint secretary. Party leaders described the line-up as a “blend of fresh faces and representative voices.”

The DUSU polls for the 2025–26 academic session are scheduled for September 18, with counting to be held the next day. The elections are seen as a key barometer of student sentiment and often carry symbolic weight in national politics.

In last year’s elections, the NSUI staged a notable comeback after a seven-year gap, winning the President and Joint Secretary posts. The ABVP, affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, managed to secure the vice president’s position and retained the secretary’s post. The contest this year is expected to be closely fought, with both outfits banking on strong mobilisation drives across the campus.

As the campaign heats up, Delhi University once again finds itself at the centre of high-energy student politics, with national parties keenly watching the outcome.

Featured Image Source – Free Press Journal

Richa Choudhary

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DUSU Elections 2025: What Does The Student Body Want?

By DU Beat September 15, 2025

With DUSU election day less than a week away, tensions rise as Delhi’s largest student body puts forth its demands and expectations from the parties it votes for. Infrastructural upgrades, increased hostel seats, and campus hygiene remain the most widespread demands.

Stakes are high as tensions and excitement rise over the upcoming Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections which are to be held on September 18th, 2025. The counting of votes is scheduled for the following day, on September 19th 2025. The DUSU elections serve as a platform that acts as a stepping stone for students into politics, either as representatives or voters. With the University of Delhi having the largest student body in the capital, the parties involved in the DUSU elections certainly have a significant weight on their shoulders.

Students have put forth multiple demands with increased hostel availability and campus hygiene being top concerns. First year philosophy student, K.Sameepya from Indraprastha College for Women stated that the administration is quite detached from the students.

“If you want to connect with [the administration] there are a lot of things you kind of have to jump through. And even then it is actually quite difficult to connect with any of them.”

A first year student from SRCC remarked on the need for improved safety outside colleges, particularly women’s colleges. She also raised concerns about the lack of campus hygiene, talking about the state of the restrooms on campus saying,“with the current conditions of the washrooms, you wouldn’t even want to step in there.” Akanksha Singh, a first year student from Ramjas College talked about how the restrooms do not have proper doors – “So, even dogs sometimes come and go in the washrooms on the ground floor.” The availability of hostels, especially for first year students and students from out of state, needs to be increased according to several students.

The release of the manifesto was also a concern. Akanksha Singh, among other students, expressed their frustration over candidates simply “barging into classrooms” before introducing their names and blatantly asking for votes. Candidates generally give little information about their past work, promises and what they stand for, skipping to directly asking for votes. Students say that it is difficult to vote for people they don’t really know they can trust.

The 2025 DUSU elections are likely to be the most competitive yet with the introduction of the fourth year for undergraduate degrees by the NEP. This implies that third year students are no longer considered “final year” students and are hence eligible to compete for positions such as President and Vice-President, increasing the overall competitiveness of the entire process. Further, the 2025 elections will follow stricter guidelines with bans and limitations on loudspeakers, banners, and posters. Posters are to remain handmade and put up in only certain locations. This is expected after the vote counting for the 2024 elections was withheld upon the involvement of the High Court due to alleged defacement of public property.

The presidential candidates for this year’s elections include Aryan Maan for the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Joslyn Choudhary for the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and Anjali for the SFI(Students’ Federation of India)-AISA(All India Students’ Association). With the highly competitive atmosphere of the DUSU elections, each candidate is likely to give the other a run for their money.

Souparnika.S.R

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Image Credits: Jansatta

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NCWEB Issues Special Cut-Off List for 2025–26 Admissions

By DU Beat September 9, 2025

Delhi University’s NCWEB releases the special drive cut-off list for BA (Programme) and BCom admissions 2025–26.

The Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB) of Delhi University has released the special drive cut-off list for BA (Programme) and BCom admissions for the academic session 2025–26. This special drive provides another opportunity to students who were eligible but could not secure admission in the earlier cut-off rounds.

According to the university, the online admission process began on September 9 at 10 AM and will remain open until 11:59 PM on September 10, 2025. Candidates still seeking admission can apply through the official portal.

The cut-off list is applicable for both BA (Programme) and BCom courses offered through various DU colleges under NCWEB. Students from categories including General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD are eligible to apply based on the marks specified in the cut-off for each teaching centre.

According to an NCWEB official, more than 12,000 seats out of 15,200 have been filled, and many centres are now left without any seat available. However, many seats reserved for OBC and SC categories still remain vacant.

University officials have advised applicants to ensure that all details are entered correctly and that the required documents are uploaded while filling out the admission form. They also urged students to complete the process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical difficulties.

NCWEB offers women students the option to pursue BA (Programme) and BCom degrees in a non-collegiate mode, with classes held at 26 designated teaching centres and affiliated colleges. The programme is specifically designed to provide flexibility for those women who are balancing higher education with other commitments, especially to give working women the chance to pursue a college degree with classes structured on weekends.

For further updates and detailed guidelines, candidates have been advised to visit the official Delhi University website and the admission portal.

Featured Image Source – Mint

Richa Choudhary

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Delhi University Finalises Over 68,000 Undergraduate Admissions for 2025–26

By DU Beat August 25, 2025

Delhi University has confirmed 68,116 undergraduate admissions after the second round of upgradation under CSAS-UG 2025–26. Students can apply for the Spot Round until August 27, with the announcement of vacant seats expected on August 28.

Delhi University (DU) on Friday announced that a total of 68,116 students have secured admission to its undergraduate programmes after the completion of the second round of upgradation under the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS-UG) for the academic year 2025–26.

According to official figures, 17,595 applicants had applied for an upgrade in this round. Out of them, 7,685 candidates successfully received an upgrade in their choice of course or college, while 46,257 applicants chose to freeze their allotted seats. In addition to this, 2,808 allocations were made under the performance-based and supernumerary categories. These include quotas for sports, extracurricular activities (ECA), Persons with Disabilities (PwD), Children/Widows of Armed Forces Personnel (CW), and international students. A DU official confirmed the figures to The Hindustan Times, noting that the second upgrade round marked a significant step towards completing this year’s undergraduate admission process.

As per the admission schedule released by the university, students allotted seats were required to accept them by 4:59 pm on August 23, while colleges were directed to verify and approve applications by 11:59 pm on the same day. The deadline for online fee payment is 4:59 pm today, August 24. Following the completion of these processes, DU will publish the list of vacant seats at 5 pm on August 25. Students who are not admitted to any college by today will be eligible to apply for the Spot Round until August 27, and allocations for the Spot Round will be declared at 5 pm on August 28.

The Spot Round is intended to fill seats that remain vacant after the initial rounds of allocation and upgradation. Students who wish to participate will only be able to apply to courses and colleges where vacancies exist, based on their category. The University has also notified students that admission in the Spot Round will be binding. Candidates must accept the seat offered, as failure to do so will forfeit their eligibility for any further admissions in this cycle.

With over 68,000 admissions already confirmed, the university is nearing the completion of its undergraduate admission process for 2025. The upcoming Spot Round is expected to provide the final chance for many aspiring students to secure a place in one of the country’s most sought-after universities.

Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Neeraja Unnikrishnan

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Parliamentary Panel Slams DU for “Faulty” SC/ST Reservation Roster; Calls for Urgent Rectification

By DU Beat August 13, 2025

Delhi University was recently criticized by a parliamentary committee for ‘faulty implementation’ of SC/ST reservation rosters, leading to lost faculty posts, dismal student admissions, and a call for urgent reforms.

The University of Delhi is currently under intense scrutiny from the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which has accused the institution of significant lapses in implementing reservation policies. The report reveals widespread “discrepancies” in the recasting of reservation rosters, allegedly leading to the loss of legitimate posts for the Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) faculty and a “dismal” representation of these communities in student admissions. The panel’s report noted that the representation of SC students was below the 15% prescribed quota except in 2024-25, when it barely crossed the required threshold.

The Committee’s principal concern centers on the university’s 2013 decision to switch its reservation policy from “department as a unit” to “university as a unit”. This change, the report contends, resulted in numerous unreserved posts being improperly converted to reserved ones, with the university reportedly failing to notify these newly identified backlog vacancies. In some alarming instances, these reserved posts were even “dereserved” and filled by unreserved candidates, effectively snatching opportunities away from eligible SC and ST applicants.

The Committee are constrained to note that since the inception of the exercise of recasting rosters in University of Delhi, the same has been marred with various discrepancies and shortcomings due to its faulty implementation,”

the report stated unequivocally.

The parliamentary panel also highlighted that the alphabetical arrangement of departments during this recasting inadvertently led to imbalances in the distribution of reserved positions, further aggravating the issue. The committee vehemently rejected the university’s assertion that there are no backlog vacancies. It has issued a stern directive to DU to immediately identify these elusive posts and initiate a special recruitment drive to fill them within an ambitious three-month deadline. Furthermore, the committee recommended that any reserved posts currently occupied by unreserved faculty must be reassigned to eligible SC/ST candidates as soon as they fall vacant. To promote transparency and accountability, it also mandated the online publication of updated reservation lists.

Expressing serious concern about the lack of SC/ST staff, especially at the associate professor and professor levels, the panel urged the university to provide concessions and relaxations for eligible candidates. It criticized the common use of “None Found Suitable” as a reason to reject qualified SC/ST applicants, seeing it as an obstacle to proper representation. To promote job security and fairness, the committee recommended the immediate regularization of long-serving ad hoc and contractual employees from these communities. The panel headed by BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste noted that despite there being 68 colleges under DU, the University only has one SC/ST Cell that too “with meagre staff”.

Beyond faculty appointments, the report also highlighted important issues related to student admissions, describing the low enrolment of ST students, despite existing concessions, and recommended a considerable cut-off reduction to ensure that reserved seats are filled properly. The committee also discovered that the reservation rules for hostel accommodations were not being applied consistently and suggested creating dedicated SC/ST hostels to tackle this gap.

To strengthen institutional support, the committee further recommended setting up SC/ST cells in every college under the University of Delhi. It also suggested sharing principal posts among colleges to ensure that reservation policies are effectively applied at this important administrative level. Finally, to improve professional development and exposure, the committee also recommended increasing the nominations of SC/ST staff for foreign training programs.

Featured image Source – News18

Richa Choudhary

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Delhi University Earns an A++ NAAC Grade Upon the Second Round of Evaluation

By DU Beat August 9, 2025

Delhi University officially secures its position in the prestigious list of Higher Education Institutes of India by receiving the highest NAAC grade, ‘A++’, on 9th August, 2025.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) recently bestowed upon Delhi University (DU) and Lucknow’s King George’s Medical University (KGMU) its highest accreditation grade of A++.

In the latest assessment, which was also the second cycle of evaluation, Delhi University was honoured with a CGPA of 3.55, reaffirming its position as one of the prominent institutions of the country. KGMU became the second medical institution in Uttar Pradesh to receive this excellence, earning a CGPA of 3.67.

In a public statement Delhi University proudly said,

This achievement reflects the collective dedication of our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and stakeholders.”

Before having received this certification, DU has had many of its individual institutions honoured with the same long before.

Shri Ram College of Commerce, the leading institution of DU was awarded with an A+ grade in the year 2016, with a CGPA of 3.65. In the second round of evaluation, it moved up to A++ accreditation with a CGPA rating of 3.75 now.

Two of Delhi University’s women colleges, namely Lady Shri Ram College and Miranda House have been awarded A++ in their second round of evaluation, with LSR bagging a CGPA of 3.75 in 2023. Similarly, Miranda House received the accreditation with a CGPA of 3.61. Joining the other acclaimed colleges, St. Stephens too received an accreditation of A++ in the year 2023 with a CGPA of 3.76 alongside Hansraj that bagged a grade of 3.71 CGPA. Other colleges like Ramjas, Kirori Mal, and Hindu also have an A+ grade conferred upon them.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) was established in 1994 by the University Grants Commission of India (UGC). It is an autonomous body that assesses and evaluates the quality status of a higher education institution and inspects the performance of the said educational body related to education, faculty, research, infrastructure, curriculum coverage, governance and much more. The council uses a seven-point grading system to evaluate colleges ranging from A++ to D. The accreditations are valid for a period of five years.

Although established in the year 1922, Delhi University received its first NAAC grade of A+ in the year 2018 with a CGPA of 3.28. The University worked its way up to the 6th position in the NIRF ranking amongst Universities in India and 15th position overall.

Image Source: DU Squad

Ananya Agarwal

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