A protest organised by teachers and students against Delhi University's four-year undergraduate programme at India Gate on Monday evening spiralled out of control when 80 people were detained by Delhi police.
The group, which is demanding that the new programme be "immediately scrapped", had not taken permission to protest at India Gate. Around 150-200 people gathered opposite the memorial shouting slogans calling the new programme "imperialist" and "anti-student", especially for those from marginalised backgrounds. When the group tried to breach the barricades and enter the approach road to India Gate, they were stopped by police.
"The way the police behaved with us is unfortunate. We asked them what was the harm in holding up placards and candles but they dragged us. Some women teachers were roughed up," said Najma, a teacher from DU's department of Urdu.