Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s surprise visit to Delhi University’s North Campus on Thursday has triggered a heated debate between university officials, student representatives, and political outfits. While the session was intended as an interaction with Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) students to address issues of representation and academic justice, it was met with sharp criticism from the university, which labelled it a breach of institutional protocol and accused Rahul Gandhi’s student supporters of misconduct.
University Alleges Violation of Procedure and Student Misconduct
According to an official statement from Delhi University, the visit disrupted normal student governance as the office of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) president was cordoned off during the event. The university alleged that even the DUSU secretary was denied access to her own office by members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Congress’s student wing. The administration further claimed that some students were mistreated during the session and warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible.
The university condemned the unannounced event, expressing concern that such actions undermine the functioning of student bodies. Officials emphasized that protocol and prior permission are essential for high-profile campus visits to ensure transparency and non-disruption of regular activities.
DUSU President Defends Visit, Labels University Response as Political
In response, DUSU president Ronak Khatri, affiliated with the NSUI, defended the event, arguing that there is no formal requirement to seek university approval for private meetings that do not involve public gatherings or violate campus security. He maintained that the session was peaceful and held entirely within the DUSU premises, where he has the right to host guests.
Khatri criticized the university’s statement as politically charged and misleading, accusing the administration of overreach and attempting to curtail the autonomy of the student body. He claimed the press note was biased and aimed at discrediting a legitimate student interaction.
Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student body affiliated with the RSS and holding several DUSU posts, called Rahul Gandhi’s visit a “photo-op” and “bad theatre.” The ABVP alleged that their representatives were excluded from the session, which they described as an “echo chamber” limited to NSUI members.
The controversy has sparked wider discussions about student autonomy, political influence on campuses, and the boundaries of institutional protocol in higher education spaces.
