Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) office on Thursday. The University stated that it was a second time coming to the campus without information or intimation. In a statement, the proctor Rajini Abbi said, “He stayed in the DUSU office for almost an hour. During this time, the DUSU office was cordoned by security.”
“There were some students…who were locked inside the DUSU secretary room and later were misbehaved (with) by NSUI members. The DUSU secretary was outside. She was not allowed to enter her office… by NSUI students. The University condemned such action… strict actions will be taken against students involved in this,” reads the statement by the proctor of the university.
In 2023, Rahul Gandhi first visited the PG men’s hostel mess and was issued a formal notice for making an unauthorised visit. This time again, the event was facilitated by DUSU, where the Congress leader made way to the university without any prior intimation.
Gandhi’s Campus Appearance
Gandhi was wearing a blue T-shirt and was greeted by the DUSU president, Rounak Khatri. DUSU said in a statement that Gandhi “engaged with the student community, listening to their concerns in highlighting the importance of democratic participation and representation and academic spaces.”
Some issues raised by the opposition leader were cast based discrimination and education, the lack of diversity and faculty and the concerns about corporate hiring practices. Gandhi evoked Dr BR Ambedkar’s famous phrase: “educate, agitate, organise” and urged students to take on a large role in creating an inclusive and just academic ecosystem
However, not everyone was pleased by the leader’s visit to the campus. DUSU secretary and ABVP’s Mitravinda Karanwal said, “The leader of the opposition who claims to be reconnecting with the people through the Bharat Jodo Yatra forgot one minor detail, students. In a move reminiscent of monarchy visits rather than democratic outreach, Mr Gandhi’s VVIP entourage and NSUI leaders barricaded the DUSU office, barring access even to the elected Secretary of DUSU and my team.”
“When I attempted to enter my own office, I was told that the gates were closed due to VVIP protocol… only after lengthy negotiations was I ‘graciously’ allowed entry alone. I refuse to leave other students behind, especially when many were waiting with issues regarding exam, examination, forms and result discrepancies,” the DUSU secretary from ABVP further added.
