Delhi's Hansraj College on Monday witnessed one of the most heated student protests in recent Delhi University history. At the centre of the uproar was the planned wedding of the Principal Rama Sharma's son. The campus - decked in pink-and-white tents and floral canopies - soon became the site of a revolt fuelled by allegations of misuse of authority.
According to student organisations, the entire sports ground was cordoned off before the February 10 ceremony. Tents were erected across the campus, and the boys' hostel - which they say, has long been declared as "unfit for living" - was used as lodging for guests. Photos and videos going viral online showed busy workers prepping the venue. Large swathes of the campus could be seen decked in colourful decor with temporary structures dotting the venue, otherwise usually bustling with student life.
Large swathes of the campus could be seen decked in colourful decor
For many students, it wasn't just the decorations that triggered outrage, but the apparent double standards, they said. More than 200 students, led by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) Hansraj unit, rallied on the campus on Monday, shouting slogans, waving placards and accusing the administration of misusing public infrastructure fr a private function.
One student speaking to news agency ANI said, "This is the same ground students are forced to vacate after 4 pm every day, where farewells and college fests are not permitted… the wedding, however, is being held well beyond those limits." Students also pointed to a widely shared wedding invitation that listed "Gate No. 5, Hansraj College, Delhi-110007" as the venue for the wedding.
Another flashpoint between the students and the college administration was the rescheduling of the annual sports event Khelo Hansraj. The event was originally scheduled to be held from February 4 to 27. Students claimed that the ground was made inaccessible and practice sessions were abruptly halted because of the wedding preparations.
"Students face a ban on using the college ground for sports after 4 pm… Even the tournament has been rescheduled to accommodate this private event," SFI leaders told reporters.
The hostel controversy added fuel to the fire. The boys' hostel, which has been shut for nearly a year due to structural safety issues, was allegedly repurposed as temporary accommodation for wedding guests. "When the hostel was shut, students were told it was unsafe to live in. That concern seems to disappear when the space is needed for a wedding," the SFI said in a written statement.
SFI secretary Asikul Islam sharply criticised the administration, saying: "The principal treats our campus like a private estate, while students continue to struggle with restrictions and inadequate facilities… Today's turnout shows students will not remain silent."
Students took to social media to vent anger. On a popular Reddit thread discussing the issue, students claimed that campus gates were closed, with some even alleging confrontations with security personnel. One student wrote that a guard "grabbed me and push me down to the ground", when he tried to enter through a closed gate.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
