Delhi University to reopen Feb 17, after 2 years of only online classes

In an order issued on Wednesday evening, the university said: “Offline classes for all the undergraduate and post-graduate courses shall begin with effect from 17th February, 2022. The outstation students are advised to plan reaching Delhi in such a manner that they are able to complete the isolation period of three days before reporting to their respective colleges/ departments.”

It said the libraries, laboratories and canteens of the colleges, departments and centres will also begin functioning from February 17, and advised everyone to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.

It noted that “students enrolled in the University of Delhi and its colleges belong to all corners of the country and have been residing in their hometown since the teaching-learning process has continued online. It is difficult for the students in different parts of the country to reach Delhi at short notice in the prevailing pandemic situation. Appropriate time is required for students to arrange for their travel from their respective hometown to Delhi to attend classes in offline mode.

On February 4, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had eased Covid restrictions for higher education institutions, allowing them to operate entirely in the offline mode with no cap on the number of students in classrooms.

But DU issued a notification that online classes would continue. This triggered protests on campus by student groups, who demanded resumption of offline classes.

On Wednesday, Left student bodies SFI and AISA as well as the ABVP-led DU Students’ Union (DUS) held protests outside the university’s North Campus. Nine ABVP activists, including DUSU office-bearers, also started a hunger strike on Tuesday night.

While Left activists were barricaded out of the ABVP’s protest area, the Registrar, Provost and Dean, Students’ Welfare, met ABVP protesters at 3 pm, announced the reopening date, and asked them to end their hunger strike.

“If it took us two-three days after the DDMA’s order to make this announcement, it’s only because we want to open the university in an organised way. If you say ‘open immediately’, the 65-70% students who come from outside Delhi can’t stay on the streets if they don’t find place in a hostel or PG if they come rushing to Delhi… If you haven’t come to campus for two years, we are also teaching online, which doesn’t feel good… Education should happen on campus only. We completely agree with that… The university will open from the 17th,” Proctor Rajni Abbi told the protesters.