Delhi college student assaulted in clash between groups, Turban falls during clash
PTC News Desk: On Sunday, a clash erupted between two student groups outside the principal’s office at Delhi University’s Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, resulting in the assault of a student whose turban was knocked off during the altercation.
All about the Conflict
The violence stemmed from protests related to the college administration’s decision not to participate in the upcoming Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections scheduled for September 27. This decision was made following directives from the college’s governing body, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).
Know the Incident
In a viral video captured during the incident, students are seen gathering outside the principal’s office when tensions escalated. A student wearing a red turban was suddenly attacked by several individuals, who pulled, kicked, and beat him. Amid the chaos, his turban fell to the ground. Other students quickly intervened; one picked up the turban and returned it to its owner, who was then escorted away by those who had come to help.
As the situation unfolded, some students remained outside the principal’s office, speaking to college authorities who had opened the door to address the situation. Eventually, several students were seen running towards the college gates, indicating the level of unrest.
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The student whose turban was dislodged filed a complaint regarding the assault, prompting police to register a First Information Report (FIR). The FIR includes charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 299: Deliberate act to outrage religious feelings
- Section 115(2): Voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 351(2): Criminal intimidation
- Section 353(5): Promoting enmity, hatred, or ill-will between groups
College Administration’s Take
Earlier, Principal Gurmohinder Singh informed the Delhi University administration that the college would hold its own student elections, a decision influenced by the DSGMC’s directives. The DSGMC oversees several Delhi University colleges, including Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College, and Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, all affiliated with DUSU. However, Mata Sundri College for Women, another college under the DSGMC, is not affiliated with DUSU.
Principal Singh noted that the college’s elections would involve office bearers being nominated by the Staff Advisory Committee, a move that triggered protests from student members of both the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Congress’s National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). The ABVP has also filed a petition in a Delhi court challenging the DSGMC’s decision to disassociate its colleges from DUSU.
The incident has raised concerns about safety and unity among students, as well as the implications of administrative decisions affecting student governance. The college and local authorities are now under pressure to address the tensions and ensure a safe environment for all students.
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