Hansraj College Principal Defends Use of Campus for Son's Wedding
Amid significant uproar and student protests, Hansraj College Principal Rama Sharma has firmly defended her decision to host her son's wedding on the college campus. Sharma stated that all faculty members and staffers are permitted to use the college premises for personal events, a policy she claims is long-standing and not exclusive to her position.
Student Protests Erupt Over Wedding Invitation
The controversy ignited when a floral e-invite, titled 'Wedding and Blessing Ceremony', announced the wedding would take place at 'Gate No. 5, Hansraj College, Delhi-110007'. By Monday afternoon, this invitation had sparked protests on campus, with students alleging that access to the college ground was blocked for them, disrupting their regular activities.
In response to the backlash, Principal Sharma told The Indian Express, "This is a facility given to faculty and staff of Hansraj college. This is not something new. Even if I weren't a principal here, I would be allowed to use the college premises to conduct private events." She emphasized that the wedding date was set well in advance and denied claims that any sports events were cancelled due to the wedding, stating, "No sports event has been cancelled so far and none is scheduled for today."
Administration and Student Federation Clash Over Double Standards
Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta supported Sharma's stance, explaining, "The principal is the resident on campus and it is permitted for residents to use the space for a personal event, provided they maintain cleanliness of the premises." He cited recent examples where other college principals held funeral rites on campus, reinforcing that such usage is occasional and permissible.
However, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) has strongly criticized the administration for what they call double standards. In a statement, SFI highlighted that while the principal could use the campus for a private wedding, students face restrictions, such as being barred from using the college ground after 4 pm for sports and frequently denied permission for events like freshers' welcomes and farewells. Asikul Islam, secretary of the SFI's Hansraj College unit, alleged, "The Principal treats our campus like a private estate while students are forced to function within arbitrary restrictions."
Allegations of Hostel Misuse Add to Controversy
Further objections were raised by students regarding the alleged use of the Hansraj College hostel in connection with the wedding. The hostel has been closed for nearly a year after being declared unfit for habitation, displacing several student residents. SFI claimed that the facility is now being utilized as accommodation for wedding guests, questioning the administration's priorities. "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 statement asserted.
This incident has sparked a broader debate on campus policies and the equitable use of college facilities, with students calling for greater transparency and fairness in administrative decisions.
