DUTA Press Release: 20 February 2014

The DUTA strongly condemns the Principal of Maharaja Agrasen College and the Dy. Dean of Academics in the University for trying to forcibly prevent students from joining its anti-FYUP Protest March and threatening them with dire consequences if they dared to exercise their democratic right. As details of this shameful incident have emerged, the DUTA has learnt that the college Principal and Dy. Dean of Academics (who was sent by the University) called the FYUP students for a compulsory and emergency meeting in the college auditorium minutes before the students were about to leave for Zakir Husain College where they had planned to assemble for the Protest March. In this meeting students were actively discouraged from joining the March and were told that they would be given extra attendance if they would avoid going to the March. On the other hand, they were allegedly threatened with hostel eviction and other forms of penalties if they chose to go ahead with their protests. Security guards in the college had been instructed to lock all the entrances and exits and physically confine students within the college campus. These acts reek of cowardice and desperation and show the extent to which the University administration and its stooge principals have alienated themselves from the students’ trust. These acts have also created a sense of unrest within the student community who feel constrained and pressurized in the absence of democratic forums which can protect their rights and freedoms.

The DUTA finds it worth mentioning that Maharaja Agrasen College was awarded the Best Practices Award in Antardhvani this year. This has happened despite the fact that a large number of FYUP students in the college have stopped attending the Foundation Course-classes due to lack of interest. Similar reports are emerging from other colleges too where students are increasingly beginning to disengage themselves from the Foundation courses and the Integrating Mind, Body and Heart (IMBH) courses. Instead of addressing the students’ problems, the college authorities have tried to create a false gloss about the FYUP programme to please the DU VC and claim the Antardhvani prize. Students were angered by this dishonesty and reacted against the falsehoods that the college Principal was trying to peddle. The DUTA has learnt that the Principal was heckled and asked uncomfortable questions by students during the meeting. Despite his best efforts, many students managed to escape the college premises and board buses to Zakir Husain College. The DUTA applauds the courage, determination and intelligence of the students and teachers who broke through all these obstacles to join the Protest March.   

NANDITA NARAIN President, DUTA

HARISH KHANNA Secretary, DUTA

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