‘Principals to be anti-defacement heads, use social media for campaigning….’: DU issues new directives ahead of DUSU polls

The latest development comes after the varsity was pulled up by the Delhi High Court for failing to prevent defacement of public property in the run-up to the DUSU polls last year.

In the communication, the DU Registrar Vikas Gupta reminded colleges that “it is imperative that we collectively comply with the directives of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in W.P.(C) 7824/2017… including the order dated 29 May 2018 and subsequent reinforcements in 2024, which mandates stringent measures against defacement of public and private property.”

The guidelines, the Registrar wrote, are intended to prevent “acts such as pasting posters, banners, wall writings, or hoardings that disfigure property which undermine the orderly conduct of elections.”

The communication further stated that each DU college must also constitute a committee for prevention of defacement, comprising “(a) A Senior Faculty Member nominated by the Principal; (b) A Nominee of the Station House Officer (SHO) of the local Police Station.” The committee’s details, including members’ names and contact information, must be displayed prominently “on the college website and notice boards without delay.”

Tiwary, in a subsequent communication to principals, outlined specific measures, including “encouraging candidates to use e-communication platforms (such as emails, messaging apps, and social media) for campaigning, thereby moving away from paper-based materials.” He directed colleges to maintain “a strict vigil and record of any defacement incidents during elections” and to report them immediately to the Returning Officer or Election Officer. “Violations may lead to disqualification,” the letter noted.

“Continuous vigilance is mandatory to safeguard our shared spaces and uphold the principles of responsibility and respect that define our university community,” Tiwary wrote, urging “accountability and prompt action” to ensure compliance with the High Court’s orders.

Amid concerns over potential defacement, the university on August 18 had announced the formation of a University Committee for Prevention of Defacement of Property (UCPDP) to oversee compliance during the upcoming DUSU elections.

The committee, approved by the Registrar, is headed by Bipin Kumar Tiwary, Estate Officer, who has been appointed as Vice-Chancellor’s nominee. Other members include Geeta Sahare of Lakshmibai College, officials from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), representatives from the North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations, and a nominee from the Delhi Police.

Colleges are also expected to provide designated “Walls of Democracy” where “handmade banners, posters, and slogans can be displayed without defacing other areas.” In addition, principals were asked to coordinate with local police for “surveys of printers, stockists, and sellers of campaign materials to prevent unauthorised production.”