Protests erupt at Law Faculty as students denied admit cards over low attendance
Tensions ran high at Delhi University’s Faculty of Law on Tuesday after nearly 150 students were denied admit cards for the upcoming examinations due to low attendance, triggering a series of protests that disrupted proceedings on campus.
The situation escalated late on Monday night when a group of students allegedly broke into the examination department. By Tuesday morning, protesters locked the entrance to the examination centre, declaring, “If we can’t sit for the exam, no one will.” The disruption forced a two-hour delay in the exam scheduled for 9.30 am.
While the university administration eventually intervened—breaking the lock and ensuring the exam was held—students without valid admit cards were barred from entering the examination hall.
The list of affected students reportedly includes members of both student unions—Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI)—escalating the political tensions surrounding the issue.
ABVP, however, launched a scathing attack on the Faculty of Law’s administration, alleging selective enforcement of attendance rules. The organisation questioned how DUSU president and NSUI leader Raunak Khatri received an admit card despite reportedly failing to meet attendance criteria, while others were denied.
Calling the move “anti-student” and “biased,” ABVP accused the dean of acting with “malintent” and claimed the decision was aimed at “jeopardising the academic future” of hundreds of students.
The student wing also strongly condemned the University of Delhi’s Faculty of Law for detaining 300 students just three days before their examinations, thereby preventing them from appearing in the exams.
ABVP activists staged an overnight protest outside the Faculty, demanding the dean’s resignation and alleging collusion between the administration and NSUI.
“It is extremely unfortunate that institutions meant to protect students’ futures are now crushing their aspirations through anti-student decisions,” said ABVP Delhi state secretary Sarthak Sharma. “The dean’s decision is completely biased. If hundreds of students were barred from exams due to attendance issues, why was the DUSU president given special privileges?”
Delhi