Delhi University Students Protest Alleged Misuse of College Facilities for Principal's Son's Wedding
Students at Delhi University's Hansraj College staged a significant protest on Monday, voicing strong objections against the principal's alleged use of college infrastructure for the wedding of her son. The demonstrators, primarily from the Left-affiliated Students' Federation of India (SFI), highlighted that the principal had remained inaccessible to students while reportedly repurposing campus facilities for the private event.
Hostel and Sports Ground Allegedly Repurposed for Wedding Guests
The protestors raised specific concerns about the use of the college hostel, which has been closed to students for over a year after being declared structurally unfit. According to the students, this hostel was temporarily reopened and decorated to accommodate guests attending the wedding. Photographs circulated on social media show sections of the hostel adorned with flowers and temporary fittings, contrasting sharply with its usual shuttered state.
Additionally, the students alleged that the college sports ground was made unavailable for the ongoing Khelo Hansraj tournament due to the wedding preparations. Practice sessions were reportedly shifted to other venues, and the ground was seen with catering setups, decorative arches, and temporary structures in shared images.
Student Leaders Voice Outrage Over Inconsistent Policies
Asikul Islam, the SFI secretary at Hansraj College, expressed deep frustration over the situation. "Students face a ban on using the college ground for sports after 4 pm," he stated. "It is also routinely denied for holding freshers' welcome and farewell events. Even the tournament has been rescheduled to accommodate this private event. Most outrageously, the hostel, shuttered for a year after being declared unfit for living, has been repurposed as a guest house for wedding guests."
The student representatives emphasized that this issue is not isolated but reflects a broader pattern across many Delhi University institutes. They cited earlier instances where college infrastructure had allegedly been used for similar private functions, leading to their demand for a complete ban on such events on campuses.
University Administration Responds to the Controversy
Prof Rama, the principal of Hansraj College, did not respond to calls and messages seeking her comment on the allegations. However, when contacted, Vikas Gupta, the university registrar, acknowledged that the use of college infrastructure for private functions has been a common practice in some institutes. This admission has further fueled student concerns about systemic issues within the university's governance.
The protest underscores growing tensions between student bodies and administrative authorities at Delhi University, with calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of public educational resources.
