Day after, Delhi University accepts 3 NSUI demands

Delhi University (DU) accepted three demands of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) members who were on a hunger strike on the varsity’s north campus.

The demands accepted by the DU include an explanation from the university on the advisory asking students not to participate in CJP protests, an increase in seats for one-year PG courses and student representation in the Academic Council (AC) meeting.

The Congress-backed student organisation was on a hunger strike over several demands, including an apology from the DU Vice-Chancellor over official social media posts, an end to the alleged “saffronisation” of the university, reservation of one Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) office-bearer post for women, student-led certification of postgraduate hostels, establishment of a dedicated anti-harassment and legal support cell for PG students, free and fair PhD admissions, student representation in the Executive Council (EC) and Academic Council (AC) and an increase in seats for one-year postgraduate courses.

The strike was called off on Thursday after the DU administration accepted their demands and issued a written assurance to implement them.

The six NSUI members who observed the hunger strike were DUSU vice-president Rahul Yadav Jhansla, Siddhant Tiwari, Kuldeep Gujjar, Sagar Choudhary, Deepak Choudhary and Parth Rao.

Speaking about the demands, DU Registrar Vikas Gupta said the university had already increased the seats in one-year PG courses. They would not issue any apology from the administration.

Meanwhile, DUSU vice-president Rahul Yadav said that the university’s acceptance of three demands was a victory for students.

The NSUI described the development as a major victory for the students’ movement and said it would closely monitor the implementation of the university’s written assurances while continuing to press for the fulfilment of all accepted demands.