The Delhi High Court on Thursday expressed strong concern over allegations of violence and vandalism during campaigning for the upcoming Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections.
The court directed Delhi University and the Delhi Police to submit reports by Friday detailing the action taken in connection with the alleged incidents. During the hearing, the court observed that allowing student union elections to be accompanied by such incidents was “unacceptable at any cost”.
The court did not put a stay on the DUSU elections, which are scheduled to take place on Friday, September 18. However, it warned that if the reports submitted by the university and police do not satisfy the court, it could consider strict measures. These could include stopping the counting of votes and postponing the announcement of the election results.
The DUSU elections are being closely watched, with several major student organisations participating in the contest. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and the Left-backed alliance of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) are among the prominent groups involved in the campaign.
Campaigning has intensified across the university ahead of polling. Student organisations have been reaching out to voters through college campuses, classrooms and social media platforms.
Delhi University has also introduced security and traffic arrangements in view of the elections. Vehicular movement has been restricted on important stretches in and around the North Campus, including Chhatra Marg, Probyn Road and University Road.
The traffic restrictions are scheduled to remain in place on Friday and Saturday, until the election results are declared. The university has also made arrangements for the counting process.
Voting is scheduled for Friday, while counting of votes will take place on Saturday from 8 am at the Multipurpose Hall of the University Sports Stadium in North Campus.
The court’s intervention comes amid heightened attention on security during the election process. By seeking reports from both the university and the police, the court has asked the authorities to account for the action taken over the alleged incidents.
The DUSU election results will depend on the counting process scheduled for Saturday. However, the court has made clear that further orders could follow if it finds the authorities’ response to the reported violence and vandalism inadequate.
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