Aspirants who flocked to Delhi University's North Campus on Monday were in for a rude shock.
Protests by National Students Union of India (NSUI) members forced police to keep large sections of Chhatra Marg out of bounds to incoming traffic. Parents and varsity hopefuls, therefore, had to walk all the way from the Vishwavidyalaya Metro station to the Arts Faculty.
With temperatures soaring, hundreds of applicants appeared disgruntled over the chaos that ensued for several hours.
"We had to walk for several kilometres in the heat. The students' union and other student groups should understand that thousands of aspirants come for admissions this time of the year and to create such confusion is undemocratic," said Anand Kumar, who was at the Arts Faculty to get his pre-admission forms.
Police officers claimed that barricades were in place on the campus while the NSUI-led Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) staged a protest against the increased price of OMR forms - in addition to the prevailing hunger strike.
University officials, however, dissociated themselves with the resulting confusion, stating that it was irresponsible of the student party to have staged a protest in the admission season.
NSUI activists remained unmoved, claiming that it was imperative for those applying to be aware of the wrongdoings of the varsity. "Aspirants should be made aware that they are being fleeced. Last year, the children were being charged Rs. 50 for the forms but this year they are charging 100% more. The authorities have been insensitive and we are just trying to warn the aspirants," said Ajay Chhikara, president, DUSU.
{{/usCountry}}NSUI activists remained unmoved, claiming that it was imperative for those applying to be aware of the wrongdoings of the varsity. "Aspirants should be made aware that they are being fleeced. Last year, the children were being charged Rs. 50 for the forms but this year they are charging 100% more. The authorities have been insensitive and we are just trying to warn the aspirants," said Ajay Chhikara, president, DUSU.
{{/usCountry}}