ABVP protests Rahul’s unauthorised DU visit
A political storm erupted at Delhi University on Friday, a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made an unannounced visit to the campus, sparking a protest by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which alleged that the visit was a serious breach of university protocol, student safety and democratic norms.
Addressing a press conference at the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) office, ABVP leaders accused Rahul of entering the university premises without authorisation and, with his supporters, locking the student union’s office.
They alleged that DUSU secretary Mitravinda Karanwal was manhandled, verbally abused and denied entry to her own office.
According to the ABVP, the incident occurred during examinations, and several students, who had approached the office with concerns, were locked inside and intimidated.
“The DUSU office is not just a room but a symbol of student democracy,” said Karanwal. “Being denied access to it by Rahul’s entourage is not only a personal insult but an attack on the democratic rights of the student community.”
The ABVP also accused Gandhi of politicising educational spaces, referring to a previous incident where he reportedly entered a men’s hostel without permission.
The organisation said he evaded students’ questions about national security, particularly in the context of Operation Sindoor.
ABVP national secretary Shivangi Kharwal alleged that Rahul’s actions showed a “disregard for institutions and a willingness to use student platforms for political mileage”. She claimed that such incidents provided fodder for anti-India propaganda, demanding strict action by the university administration.
In response to the protest, staged at the Proctor’s office, Delhi University authorities acknowledged that the entry was unauthorised, and assured the student body that the matter would be investigated thoroughly.
The administration termed the office lockdown and the alleged mistreatment of an elected student representative as “acts of indiscipline”.
The incident drew criticism from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress.
NSUI national president Varun Choudhary took to X to defend Gandhi’s visit, stating that he had been invited by the DUSU president and joint secretary.
“If DUSU office-bearers have the democratic right to invite a leader, why the fear?” he asked, accusing the university administration of acting under pressure from the RSS and the BJP.
Choudhary labelled the university’s response “unconstitutional” and said attempts to silence students’ voices would be strongly opposed.
“Is the fear that Rahul Gandhi Ji may empower and awaken the youth through direct dialogue?” he wrote. “We will not be intimidated.”
Delhi