A clash erupts between two student groups in Delhi University’s Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College. The incident took place on Sunday, September 22, 2024, after the college declared that it would conduct its own elections.
The conflict occurred outside the principal’s office just five days before the Delhi University Student’s Union election 2024-25. The video of the happening went viral on social media platforms. In the video, it was clearly visible that numerous students were beating and pulling each other. A Sikh boy named Pavit Gujral, who had gone to sign himself up as a candidate for the polls, was thrashed by a group of students, resulting in the fall of his turban. After that, he filled out the FIR against the incident.
The police registered the case under sections 299 deliberate act intended to outrage religious feelings, 115(2), whoever causes hurt, and 351(2) criminal intimidation of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). The investigation is under process.
The incident took place after the college announced that they will not take part in the DUSU elections instead of that they will hold their own independent elections and also that the college’s own elections would have office bearers nominated by the Staff Advisory Committee. This declaration infuriated the students of both parties, i.e., RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Congress’ National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), which resulted in the protest by students. The students gathered at the college to voice their objections. The college’s decision was taken following an order from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), which governs various Delhi University’s colleges like Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College, and Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, all of which are affiliated with DUSU.
ABVP has filed a petition in a Delhi court in which they have challenged the disassociation of DSGMC colleges from DUSU, labelling the college’s decision as ‘autocratic’. Meanwhile, NSUI claimed that the college’s announcement regarding cancellation was made under pressure from ABVP.
As the investigation continues, the Khalsa College community is grappling with the aftermath of the incident, calling for a stronger focus on conflict resolution and safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining peace and mutual respect in educational institutions.
