DUTA Press Release, 10.10.2013: DUCKU, DUSU and DUTA Protest at Police Headquarters

Joint Protest of DUCKU, DUSU and DUTA at Police Headquarters

A large number of teachers, students and karamcharis gathered to demand the arrest of G. K. Arora for creating circumstances which forced Pavitra Bhardwaj, Lab attendant at B.R.A. College, to immolate herself on 30 September 2013. The demonstration was joined by Women’s organizations including AIDWA and AIPWA. Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, Arvind Kejriwal and Yogendra Yadav, also joined the protest  and raised slogans against the silence of Delhi Police. Arvind Kejriwal held all the authorities, which turned a deaf ear to Pavitra’s requests to intervene, responsible for her death. He added that such a Principal has no right to continue. Yogendra Yadav added that the fight for justice for Pavitra has to be continued as it is has implications for the education of girl students. 

A small delegation including Nandita Narain, President, DUTA, Sh. Rajpal, President,  DUCKU, Aman Awana, President, DUSU, Arvind Kejriwal, and Aditya N Mishra and Abha Dev Habib, Members, Executive Council  met Shri B. S. Bassi, Police Commissioner. The Police Commissioner had no answers to the fact that till date only one FIR has been lodged in the case – against Pavitra Bhardwaj for attempt to suicide! No FIR has been lodged against the Principal till date despite Pavitra’s death declaration against him nor have the records been sealed. The Police Commissioner maintained that he shall deal with the case “on its merit”.  

We take strong note of the Press statements by Prof Dinesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, that the Principal shall not be suspended knowing fully that a fair inquiry can take place only if G. K. Arora is removed from the Chair. Even today we hear that G. K. Arora has put up a Notice warning College staff not to participate in protest programmes.

DUTA, DUSU and DUCKU shall continue to fight for justice. A joint meeting will be organized shortly to chalk out the future course of action. DUCKU dharna will continue in the College tomorrow from 10 am to 1 pm, followed by a Joint Protest outside the venue (not known as yet) of the meeting of the Governing Body scheduled for tomorrow, 11 October 2013.

[Read the joint representation by DUSU, DUCKU and DUSU to the Police Commissioner.]