Classes suspended; fear reigns supreme in PGs, hostels for Delhi Univ students

Though the North Campus of Delhi University has become a battleground, most affected are the students in this crossfire whose classes have been suspended with immediate effect for the past two days.

Students, who were not part of any group, have been getting messages from friends and teachers warning them to stay indoors and stay safe.

Amid the tension at Delhi University, the students in hostels are the worst affected. A number of them revealed that there is constant panic among them as group members are searching PGs and hostels to single out protesting students,  a student said.

Though, ABVP had rejected all allegations and said the group was not targeting anyone, they did not deny the possibility of some members doing it. However, they added that anti-national slogans will not be tolerated in Delhi University. "We have also heard about these messages and that they have been shared after the incident but they are all rumours. Students are safe," said a senior official at Maurice Nagar police station.

Members of various groups have been active in the hostels and during the evening hours, some of them enter the hostel premises where they do propagate their agenda and raise a discussion. However, the student alleged that through this they were identifying the who's who and with what mentality and what ideology they were supporting.  

"The moment I heard about attacks on students, I immediately left to stay with a friend outside the Campus because I am a known face in these protests. I was threatened during the day as well, so I did not want to take any chances," said a third-year History student, on condition of anonymity.

"I had been stopped and manhandled at Delhi University Metro station by ABVP members," says Utkarsh, second year student of PGDAV College. Moreover, he added: "Things are worse for students of PGs at Vijay Nagar, Roop Nagar and Christian Colony. There are many students at PGs, who had been beaten up inside their respective accommodations for believing in different ideologies." Yogesh Tyagi, Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University said: "I urge the students to keep cool and help maintain the University's peaceful atmosphere. It is my appeal to those who consider themselves political cadres, that they should maintain the dignity of educational institutions."