Delhi University colleges on PM event eve: Attend meet, no black clothes

These guidelines have drawn sharp criticism from student groups such as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which called the circulars “condemnable”

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to visit Delhi University (DU) as chief guest at the valedictory ceremony of its centenary celebrations on Friday, the constituent colleges of the varsity have sent out circulars to ensure that the event is well attended. Among the instructions — attendance is compulsory, and don’t wear black clothes.

A poster welcoming PM Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Delhi University, on Thursday. (HT Photo)

These, and other similar guidelines have drawn sharp criticism from student groups such as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which called the circulars “condemnable”.

At Hindu College, a note shared on students’ WhatsApp groups, which was signed by a teacher in-charge, said, “No black dress to be worn that day.”

It also said that the students will get “five attendances” for being present at the college auditorium for a live-streaming of the event.

The note read, “The University desires that all stakeholders attend the live telecast of this programme in their respective colleges. The programme will, therefore, be streamed live in the Sanganeria Auditorium to enable all the students and staff to witness the proceedings.”

It also stated that first-year classes would be suspended between 10am to 12 noon. It reads, “Students’ attendance is mandatory, and they will be given five attendances for attending the livestreaming and it will be submitted to the college.”

College principal Anju Srivastava, however, said that the intention behind the note was “merely to get students to attend”, and that they will not be granted any extra attendance.

She said, “The intention was to ensure that students don’t think of it as an ‘off’. We merely urged them to attend. Their presence will not ensure any extra attendance.”

The valedictory ceremony of the centenary celebrations will take place at the multipurpose hall of DU’s sports complex. The PM will virtually lay the foundation stone of three new university buildings. On Thursday, DU’s North Campus was decked with placards welcoming the Prime Minister.

Other DU colleges such as Kirori Mal College and Hansraj College also shared circulars to seek the attendance of students for the livestreaming of the event.

The Kirori Mal College circular, dated June 28, read, “All teaching, non-teaching staff members and first-year students are requested to be in the Academic Auditorium on the same date and time mentioned above to watch the live telecast of the ceremony as per the directives of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi.”

The similar note by Hansraj College dated Tuesday asked staff members to attend the programme, and said that no other activity will be held on that day. Rajdhani College too issued guidelines on Tuesday along similar lines.

Meanwhile, students raised objections over the notices. A third-year student at Hindu College, who did not wish to be named, said, “I was not on campus, but a friend sent me a photo of the notice yesterday. Giving us free attendance feels like a tactic to get us to attend the livestream.”

SFI, in a statement said, “It is absolutely condemnable for any college to be releasing such dictatorial directives. If making the presence of all students mandatory for the live screening of the event was not exasperating enough, the admin has also asked students to not wear any black dress!”