The Question is...Will Delhi University Act Against Sexual Harassment Incidents During DUSU Polls?
Dear Readers,
As the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections concluded on 19 September, I received disturbing inputs from women studying in DU’s North Campus about them being subjected to sexual harassment during the campaign.
While trying to verify these incidents, I spoke to six students from Miranda House, a premier all-women’s college in North Campus. All of them described being followed in big, black SUVs, with tinted windows and non-Delhi number plates.
Tara*, a fourth-year student, reported an unsettling experience when she was followed by a black SUV adorned with a presidential candidate’s banner. The vehicle’s occupants rolled down the windows, made lewd comments and racial slurs, and filmed her.
Similarly, Vandana*, also in her fourth year, described how she was trailed by a black SUV on the day of voting in broad daylight. Despite trying to evade the vehicle, it followed her to her apartment, leaving her shaken.
Read the full story to hear what the horrid experiences of the women during the student body polls.
Stalking, Eve-Teasing, Catcalling Rampant in DUSU Elections: DU’s Women Students
But the question is, why is there no protocol to prevent rampant sexual harassment taking place in the garb of electioneering?
Arti*, a second-year student, recalled being surrounded by 50-60 men during the campaign, who whistled, heckled, and stared at her and her friend. “We were petrified and somehow escaped,” Arti recounted.
These accounts were echoed by several other women students, who narrated similar experiences of being followed, catcalled, harassed, and intimidated by individuals linked to political parties.
Despite the severity of these incidents, there was little intervention from the university authorities. Mira*, a third-year student, immediately informed on-campus police when she was stalked by a black SUV. However, she claims that no action was taken, and instead, she was told to “be more careful next time.”
Shouldn’t DU or the Delhi Police be more proactive in addressing such serious claims and urgent concerns from women students?
Unnati*, another 4th year student pointed out that the DUSU Election Code of Conduct stipulates that candidates can bring no more than four bonafide students to canvass on their behalf. However, she claimed that candidates barged into the women-only college with larger entourages, including outsiders, brazenly violating this rule.
Why wasn’t the election code enforced more effectively? What steps are being taken to investigate these violations?
The Delhi High Court reprimanded several candidates, including the newly elected DUSU President Aryan Mann and Secretary Kunal Chaudhary, over the use of luxury vehicles and large entourages during the election campaign. But when did such practices become normal in student union elections?
A letter compiling complaints from several students about sexual harassment was allegedly submitted to the Miranda House principal on 17 September 2025, yet the students haven’t received a response to date.
The lack of institutional accountability has left students questioning the University’s commitment to their safety. As students grapple with these incidents, several questions remain unanswered:
What immediate steps is the university taking to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment and hold those responsible accountable?
How will the election code violations be addressed, and will any action be taken against the candidates involved?
Why were security protocols not followed during the campaign?
I will keep pursuing the story until the University gives some concrete answers. Help us continue to do such stories and ask difficult questions by becoming a member*.
Sincerely,
AAKRITI HANDA
Special Correspondent
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