Great battle in Delhi University! Some colleges supported Dharmendra Pradhan, angry student organizations gave ultimatum Major standoff at Delhi University! Some colleges have extended support to Dharmendra Pradhan, while irate student organizations have issued an ultimatum.

There is a huge political and ideological war going on these days in Delhi University (DU), one of the most prestigious higher educational institutions of the country. The university is completely divided into two factions over Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s stance on examination systems and recent administrative reforms. On one hand, the principals and teachers’ unions of some big and prominent colleges of Delhi University have openly supported the policies and reformist steps of the Education Minister, while on the other hand, major student organizations have opened a front against it. Student leaders have warned in clear words that unless their demands are met, the protests and indefinite strike on the campus will continue.

Why did some colleges support the Union Education Minister?

A positive tone has been seen in favor of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from the administrative corridors of the university and many college councils. The supporting colleges argue that the steps being taken by the Union Education Ministry to bring transparency in higher education and implement technological changes are in the interest of students in the long term. The managers of these colleges believe that examination reforms and effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) will lead to a major improvement in the global ranking and academic standards of Delhi University. For this reason, they seem to be standing strongly with these decisions of the government.

Mood of student organizations is mixed, security arrangements are strict in the campus

On the other hand, leftist and other opposition-minded student organizations have completely rejected this support. Student leaders allege that the recent decisions of the Education Ministry are against the interests of common students and are promoting privatization of education. Heavy sloganeering and poster war has started in the campus since morning. Student organizations have made it clear that they are not going to bow down to any administrative pressure. To prevent any untoward incident in both the North and South campuses of Delhi, the local police administration and University Security have made tight security arrangements and soldiers have been deployed at every nook and corner.

Dialogue or confrontation: What will happen next in Delhi University

Amidst this diplomatic and ideological tussle, the danger of the education of common students being affected is also looming. Academic experts say that if no positive dialogue is established between the two sides soon, then this conflict may take a more aggressive form in the coming days. The university administration is now trying to bring representatives from both sides on one table so that the peaceful and academic atmosphere of the campus can be restored. Now it remains to be seen whether the top officials of the Education Ministry and the University find a middle path to calm this burning dispute.