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Rediff.com  » News » Angered by lack of admission forms, students target Delhi University dean's office

Angered by lack of admission forms, students target Delhi University dean's office

By Onkar Singh in New Delhi
June 05, 2003 19:40 IST
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Students of Delhi University led by Nakul Bhardwaj, president of the student's union, on Thursday smashed doors and window panes in the office of Hema Raghavan, dean of student's welfare, in the north campus in Maurice Nagar protesting against non-availability of admission forms.

"Three groups of students entered my office between 0945 and 1045 IST at different periods. Journalists from the electronic media were also present in my office at that time. They smashed window panes, doors and broke some furniture. However, they spared the people here."

"They were all demanding admission forms. DUSU president Nakul Bhardwaj led one gang while another was led by Ashok Basvaiya."

"A former student Neetu Verma, who is now a member of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, led another group of students," Raghavan told rediff.com at her office in the Delhi University.

When contacted, Nakul Bhardwaj admitted vandalising the dean's office.

"Tell me what option do we have when nobody is prepared to listen to the problems of students seeking admission. We have to register our protest. One student was injured in the incident. I am taking him to hospital for treatment," he said.

Yet, the Delhi police has not received a complaint.

Raghavan explained that no action was called for since the nature of the incident was not serious.

"I have sent a written complaint to the proctor of the Delhi University who will decide the next course of action," she said.

Delhi University offers 50,000 seats in its colleges. More than 900,000 forms were sold on June four, the first day of the admission process, with many students picking up as many as 10-15 forms to apply for various courses in both the north and south Delhi campus hoping to get a seat in at least one.

Raghavan admitted that there was an unprecedented rush for forms and the university should have anticipated the same.

"Last year, we sold 13.5lakh (1.35 million) forms. This year, we have printed over 15 lakh (1.5 million) forms. Each form costs just Rupee one and are available at 30 post offices in Delhi and some schools."

"The number of forms available through this network is 500,000. If someone is black-marketing these forms, then I can do nothing about it," she said.

Another official was of the opinion that the media coverage had caused the problem.

"Since several channels are covering the admission process, students decided to go on a rampage to get some mileage for themselves. After all, the DUSU elections are due in a couple of months," he said.

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Onkar Singh in New Delhi
 
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