Rahul Gandhi’s second visit to DU in two years ruffles feathers, varsity says ‘not informed’

“There were some students… who were locked inside the DUSU Secretary’s room and later were misbehaved (with) by NSUI members. The DUSU Secretary was outside. She was not allowed to enter her office… by NSUI students. The university condemns such action… Strict action will be taken against students involved in this,” the statement said.

In 2023, Gandhi had visited PG Men’s hostel mess and was issued a formal notice for making an “unauthorised” visit.

This time, the event was facilitated by DUSU.

Clad in a blue T-shirt, the Leader of Opposition arrived and was greeted by DUSU President Ronak Khatri. Bent over a clay pot, checking if the water inside was still cool, Khatri told Gandhi about his matka campaign: “We’ve placed several pots like this across North and South campuses,” he said.

DUSU said in a statement that Gandhi “engaged with the student community, listening to their concerns and highlighting the importance of democratic participation and representation in academic spaces”.

Among the issues raised were caste-based discrimination in education, the lack of diversity in faculty, and concerns around corporate hiring practices.

Gandhi responded by invoking B R Ambedkar’s famous phrase — “Educate, Agitate, Organise” — and urged students to take on a larger role in creating an “inclusive and just academic ecosystem”, said the students’ union.

Not all were pleased by the leader’s visit.

DUSU Secretary and ABVP’s Mitravinda Karanwal said, “The Leader of Opposition, who claims to be reconnecting with the people through the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, forgot one minor detail — students. In a move reminiscent of monarchic visits rather than democratic outreach, Mr Gandhi’s VVIP entourage and NSUI leaders barricaded the DUSU office, barring access even to me, the elected Secretary of DUSU, and my team.”

“When I attempted to enter my own office, I was told the gates were closed due to ‘VVIP Protocol’… Only after lengthy negotiation was I ‘graciously’ allowed entry — alone. I refused to leave other students behind, especially when many were waiting with issues regarding

examination forms and result discrepancies,” she added.
Khatri called DU’s statement “factually incorrect” and “politically motivated”. He asserted that as the elected DUSU President, he is “fully entitled to invite any guest,” and that no academic or legal rule mandates prior permission for private or informal interactions.