Delhi University Refutes Rahul Gandhi's Allegations of Caste-Based Discrimination in Student Admissions
In a strong rebuttal, the Delhi University (DU) has dismissed allegations made by Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who claimed that the institution uses interviews to eliminate students on the basis of caste. The university issued a statement late on Friday via a post on X, emphasizing its commitment to a fair and transparent admission process.
University's Official Response to the Controversy
The Delhi University clarified that student admissions are primarily based on the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) scores, with the standard admission process not mandating interviews for most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. "If the Leader of Opposition was referring to recruitments (such as faculty positions), the University in the recent past has recruited thousands of teachers across all categories," the statement read. It further expressed strong objection to such comments, asserting that they create a non-conducive environment within the university and urged Gandhi to verify facts before making such statements.
Background of Rahul Gandhi's Remarks
Rahul Gandhi made these allegations while addressing an event in Lucknow to mark the birth anniversary of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram. "I had gone to the Delhi University. Interview is just a way to eliminate students. They ask what your caste is and then you fail in the interview," he stated. Additionally, Gandhi targeted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claiming that its leadership lacks representation from OBC, Dalit, and Adivasi communities, which he argued is against the Constitution.
Escalating Controversy and Academic Community's Reaction
The remarks have sparked further controversy, with the Indian National Teachers' Congress (INTEC) and several DU professors, including academic and executive council members, highlighting concerns. They pointed out that public records show in multiple university departments, despite advertising teaching posts under Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories, qualified candidates were often declared "not found suitable (NFS)" after the interview stage. This has raised questions about potential biases in recruitment processes, even as the university maintains its stance on equitable practices.
The incident underscores ongoing debates about caste discrimination in India's higher education system, with Delhi University at the center of this political and social discourse. As the university defends its admission protocols, stakeholders continue to call for greater transparency and inclusivity in academic institutions nationwide.
