Things are getting heated up in Kirori Mal College. Things got out of control last evening. All India Students’ Association (AISA) staged a protest on Tuesday against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College. The event of RSS sparked controversy in the campus which eventually led towards a chaos in the college. The RSS, which is the ideological mentor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), organized a huge procession ‘Varsh Pratipada’ (Hindu new year) on the college grounds. Dozens of students gathered at the main gate of the college, expressing their objection to the event.
AISA Students are Condemning the RSS
Anjali, secretary of AISA’s Delhi University unit, questioned the decision of the authority. She also highlighted how a college governing body permits a political institution to use their campus for their electoral benefits. “The RSS doesn’t represent any student group,” she argued. “We won’t let our colleges become breeding grounds for communalism”, Anjali went on saying.
Unavailability of Principal Raises Question
During the whole protest and the situation, College authorities, including Principal Dinesh Khattar, were unavailable. Whether permission was granted for the event or not – question remains unanswered by the authority. Moreover, this procession and the protest against it, again reveals the hold of the political parties on the colleges. Commenting on the situation, educationists said that such educational institutions should remain secular spaces free from political influence. However such an argument is only possible in an ‘ideal’ situation, in reality it hardly followed.
Students Demand Action on Women’s Safety at Delhi University
The protest at Kirori Mal College wasn’t the only student movement happening at Delhi University. A separate group also gathered near the campus and raised their voice regarding women safety in the campus. This group criticized the ineffectiveness of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in controlling and handling such sensitive situations.
Led by Aditi, a postgraduate student, the group emphasized the urgent need for reforms which will ensure safety for women. Regarding this matter Students’ Federation of India (SFI), announced a memorandum by outlining their important claims. These demands aim to address the root causes of sexual harassment. To prevent such situation SFI suggested that –
- Return of GSCASH: The memorandum calls for the reinstatement of the Gender Sensitization Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH). This committee would investigate and take necessary steps to prevent sexual harassment in the college.
- Expanding Gender Sensitization: The students also demanded an increase in programs that promote gender awareness and respect. Such programs will broaden the minds of students and a harmony in the college will be reinstated.
- Better Helpline Service: SFI urged college authorities to provide better and effective service with women’s helpline numbers. They also emphasized to create a response team to tackle any urgent situation.
- CCTV Surveillance: SFI demanded for 24 hours CCTV surveillance in the college campus. The Left Student Organisation demanded high-resolution cameras with good night vision capabilities. They suggested the cameras should be installed in such a way that they can cover critical areas outside colleges, like poorly lit pathways, parking lots, and student corners.
Amid this RSS-AISA clash and SFI protests students and their studies are getting sacrificed. Undoubtedly the issues are important, but it should be done in a systematic way. The college authorities can also be blamed for entertaining such disruptions in the campus. What are your thoughts regarding the matter? Do you think that the situation would be much easier if the authorities were awake? Share your thoughts in the comment.
