ABVP holds ‘Chaatra Samman Yatra’ at DU, protests against Rahul Gandhi, NSUI

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organised a protest march, ‘Chaatra Samman Yatra’, at the University of Delhi on Monday, condemning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) for alleged misconduct during his recent visit to the campus.

The protest culminated with the burning of an effigy of Rahul Gandhi near the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) office.

The demonstration was in response to an incident on May 22, when Rahul paid an unscheduled visit to the DUSU office. According to the ABVP, NSUI members, accompanying Gandhi, allegedly blocked DUSU secretary Mitravinda Karanwal from entering her office and misbehaved with her and other students present at the time. The ABVP termed the incident as “undemocratic and disrespectful” towards women.

“The incident on May 22 was not just personal for me, it concerns the dignity and pride of every female student,” said DUSU secretary Mitravinda Karanwal. “Despite being an elected representative, I was subjected to behaviour that is a direct attack on democracy.”

DUSU vice-president Bhanu Pratap Singh criticised the conduct of Rahul Gandhi and NSUI, calling it a “blot on democracy” and reflective of a “deep-seated contempt for women in leadership roles”.

Delhi ABVP state secretary Sarthak Sharma added, “Our protest is not just against a political party, but against a distorted mindset that seeks to deny women their rightful place. The NSUI has once again shown that it neither stands for student welfare nor for women’s dignity.”

The ‘Chaatra Samman Yatra’ began at Kirori Mal College and concluded at the DUSU office, where the ABVP members raised slogans and demanded action against those responsible for the alleged misconduct.