‘Unacceptable at any cost’: Delhi HC raps violence, vandalism ahead of DUSU polls

The Delhi High Court on Thursday came down heavily on incidents of violence and vandalism during campaigning for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, describing such conduct as “unacceptable at any cost”. The court pulled up Delhi University and the Delhi Police over the situation and warned that it could intervene in the election process, including at the counting stage, if adequate action was not taken against those responsible. The bench made it clear that student elections could not become an excuse for violence, destruction of property or disruption of academic life.

Court sounds warning

A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing a plea raising concerns over alleged violence, vandalism and violations of election norms during the DUSU campaign. The petition flagged the alleged use of money and muscle power, involvement of outsiders, unauthorised vehicles and processions and breaches of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations governing student elections. The court expressed serious concern over reports of violence and asked why effective preventive measures had not been taken despite similar problems surfacing during previous election cycles.

The bench sought reports from Delhi University and the Delhi Police detailing the steps taken over the incidents and warned that failure to demonstrate effective action could have consequences for the election process. While the court did not halt polling, it indicated that counting could be stopped if circumstances warranted such intervention. The bench stressed that universities were places of learning and that violence and vandalism in the name of student politics could not be tolerated.

Campaign turns tense

The court’s intervention came against the backdrop of a tense DUSU campaign marked by allegations and counter-allegations among rival student organisations. Incidents of clashes, intimidation and damage to property have been reported during campaigning, prompting concerns over security on and around university campuses. Rival student groups have accused each other of resorting to violence, while the authorities have faced questions over enforcement of election rules.

The petition also raised concerns about campaign practices allegedly violating restrictions on expenditure, vehicles, posters and processions. The Lyngdoh Committee guidelines were introduced to curb excessive spending, criminalisation and the use of unfair means in student elections, but allegations of violations have repeatedly surfaced during DUSU contests.

Security stepped up

The DUSU election is being contested principally by the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Left alliance of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI). With campaigning ending amid heightened tensions, security arrangements have been strengthened across Delhi University campuses and surrounding areas.

The High Court’s intervention has put additional pressure on the university and police to ensure that polling proceeds peacefully and that those involved in violence or vandalism face action. The authorities will now have to place their action-taken reports before the court, which is expected to examine whether sufficient measures were taken to enforce election rules and maintain order.