Hansraj College Principal Defends Son's Campus Wedding Amid Student Protests
Amid significant uproar over her son's wedding being held on the Hansraj College campus, Principal Rama Sharma asserted on Tuesday that all faculty and staff members are permitted to use college premises for personal events. This statement came as students protested, alleging that access to the college ground was blocked for them due to the wedding arrangements.
Wedding Invitation Triggers Campus Unrest
A floral e-invitation card titled 'Wedding and Blessing Ceremony' announced the wedding would take place on Tuesday at 'Gate No. 5, Hansraj College, Delhi-110007'. By Monday afternoon, this invitation had sparked protests on campus. Students claimed that their access to the college ground was obstructed, leading to demonstrations against what they perceived as preferential treatment.
In response to the backlash, Principal Sharma told The Indian Express, "This is a facility given to faculty and staff of Hansraj college. This is not something new. Even if I weren't a principal here, I would be allowed to use the college premises to conduct private events." She emphasized that this privilege is extended to all staff members, not just her.
Denial of Sports Event Cancellation Claims
Addressing allegations that a sports event was canceled to accommodate the wedding, Sharma refuted these claims as false. "...it is a logical fact that the wedding date in any wedding is set way before, so why would we choose any date on the same date of a sports event if we were to use the college premises? These are all false claims. No sports event has been cancelled so far and none is scheduled for today (the day of the wedding)," she stated.
University Registrar Supports Principal's Stance
Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta supported Sharma's position, explaining that as a resident on campus, she is allowed to use the space for personal events, provided cleanliness is maintained. "Recently, two college principals lost their parents and they held a kriya in the college... It is natural for them to act as a resident and use the space occasionally," Gupta noted. Regarding the blocked access, he added, "Nothing has been restricted, it is a matter of just one day."
Students' Federation of India Alleges Double Standards
The Students' Federation of India (SFI) issued a statement criticizing the administration for what they called double standards. While the wedding card listed Hansraj College as the venue for a private event, the SFI claimed students face restrictions, such as being barred from using the college ground after 4 PM for sports and frequently denied permission for freshers' welcomes and farewell events. They also alleged that the annual Khelo Hansraj sports tournament was rescheduled to accommodate the wedding.
Asikul Islam, secretary of the SFI's Hansraj College unit, alleged, "The Principal treats our campus like a private estate while students are forced to function within arbitrary restrictions."
Objections Over Hostel Usage for Wedding Guests
Further objections were raised regarding the alleged use of the Hansraj College hostel in connection with the wedding. The hostel has been closed for nearly a year after being declared unfit for habitation, displacing several student residents. The SFI claimed the facility is now being used to accommodate wedding guests, questioning the inconsistency in safety concerns. "When the hostel was shut, students were told it was unsafe to live in. That concern seems to disappear when the space is needed for a wedding," the SFI statement said.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between student bodies and college administrations over resource allocation and perceived inequities in campus usage policies.
