Rahul's unannounced DU visit sparks row
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s surprise visit to Delhi University’s North Campus on Thursday triggered a sharp response from the university authorities, who said that the senior leader came "unannounced to the university for the second time".
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha had interacted with SC, ST, and OBC students at the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) office, raising concerns related to representation, equality, and academic justice. However, the university expressed disapproval of the event, stating that it had not been informed about Gandhi’s visit in advance.
"Shri Rahul Gandhi has done this for the second time for coming to the university without any intimation and information to University of Delhi," read an official statement from the proctor's office.
The statement further claimed that the DUSU office was cordoned off for nearly an hour during Gandhi’s visit, allegedly barring elected representatives, including the DUSU secretary, from accessing their workspace.
"Some students were locked in the room of the secretary, DUSU, and were misbehaved with by NSUI students," the university release stated.
DUSU secretary Mitravinda Karanwal, affiliated with the ABVP, alleged that she and her team were stopped from entering their office because of “VVIP protocol.” She said, “Only after a lengthy negotiation was I ‘graciously’ allowed entry — alone. I refused to leave the students behind.”
Calling the incident political theatre, the ABVP remarked, “Turning up uninvited, silencing elected voices and treating a student union office like a private drawing room is not leadership — it’s theatre.”
The NSUI, however, issued a separate statement on X, defending Gandhi’s visit, saying he “carefully listened to the student community,” with issues raised ranging from caste-based discrimination and NEP reforms to academic marking irregularities.
The university has indicated that strict action will be taken against those involved in the disruptions.
