BJP’s post on LSR principal’s women quota statement ignites debate

A video posted on a social media platform, Instagram, by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 13 featuring the principal of Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) has triggered sharp reactions among students and alumni, many of who asked if this was in line with the institution’s stated apolitical stance.

A section of LSR students are also said to have protested the move on the campus.

In the video, college Principal Dr Kanika K Ahuja is seen speaking on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, also known as the Women’s Reservation Bill, calling it “a constitutional course correction.”

She further says the bill “reflects the shift from women’s development to women-led development” and expresses hope for future “women leaders” graduating from the college.

What appeared to be a routine endorsement drew mixed reactions after the video was posted on a political party’s official social media platform.

Students across batches and colleges, especially from LSR, took to the comments section of the post to question the principal’s position considering the college’s repeated emphasis on remaining apolitical.

Many students and alumni expressed a mix of anger, sarcasm and criticism, while some voices attempted to offer a more nuanced view. Several comments reflected strong criticism of the perceived contradiction between the college’s apolitical stance and the principal’s appearance in a political post.

One user, @manyayadawv, wrote, “Who was gonna ask the real LSR before involving our name in this.” Few comments carried a sarcastic tone, reflecting disillusionment with institutional claims. Some comments also appeared supportive or reflective, suggesting that speaking on broader issues should not automatically be equated with political alignment.

A user @its_vaishh.13 wrote, “Evolving like anything before, silence was never being in-active.”

The backlash appears rooted in a pattern of administrative decisions that students say have reinforced an apolitical stance within the college.

A student from the college told during the annual fest Tarang 2026, an exhibition by a student society was reportedly shut down after being interpreted as critical of political figures and power structures.

The episode has brought into focus a broader question within the university space, where students and alumni are debating what an ‘apolitical’ institution means in practice, and whether that position can remain consistent amid public endorsements of positions taken by political parties.