Delhi University’s Hansraj College has suspended around 30 students, including four students’ union employees, citing allegations ranging from “defaming the college through social media platforms” to “using insulting language”.
The notifications in this regard were served between April 20 and 25. The action comes in the wake of alleged incidents of violence and misconduct during the college’s annual festival held on April 8 and 9.
In one of the notices dated April 25, the college administration said the union officials were suspended with immediate effect, pending disciplinary action.
Dean of the College, Professor (Dr.) Rama, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report. Among those suspended are the four elected representatives of the Hansraj College Students Union for the term 2025-26.
According to the notice, students were prohibited from entering the college headquarters during the suspension period, except for attending exams and internal assessments. The duration of the suspension was not specified, and the order was described as “temporary” and effective until further directions.
The first notice was issued on April 20 against one student. The notice said the student was found involved in indiscipline acts, including defaming the institution and using derogatory language against teaching and non-teaching staff.
A second notice was issued on behalf of 14 students for their involvement in “acts of indiscipline, physical violence and disruption of campus order” during the annual festival.
The move drew sharp criticism from the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU), which termed the action a “brazen attack on student democracy and a clear abuse of administrative power”.
DUSU President Aryaman Sai said: “These are the same actors who demonstrated for days, fighting for students’ rights, so what exactly is their crime? Telling the truth? Exposing administrative failures?” Saye alleged that there was an attempt to “crush student leadership”, added that “silencing elected voices is not judgement, but fear”, and demanded the “immediate and unconditional repeal” of the suspensions.
“The campus is for dissent, dialogue, and accountability — not authoritarian crackdowns. Students will not be bullied. Students will not be silenced,” he said.
