On Thursday, Delhi High Court pulled up the student bodies, Delhi University and the police for the recurring incidents of violence and vandalism during student elections, saying enough is enough. This, however, is not the first time that DUSU elections are marred by hooliganism, defacement, violence, and court intervention.
Jaitley was arrested, while several student activists became involved in protests against the Emergency. The episode reinforced DUSU’s position as an important arena for political mobilisation in Delhi. Campuses witnessed clashes and confrontations with police, especially during the student elections. The events demonstrated how closely DUSU politics could become intertwined with national political issues. An alleged assault involving a teacher added to concerns over the safety of students and faculty members during campaigning. The issue reached the Delhi High Court, which questioned Delhi University and Delhi Police over the incidents. The court has now warned that continued failure to deal with those responsible could result in the counting of votes or declaration of results being stopped.
1974-75: With Jaitley as DUSU president, the student movement became closely associated with the wider political opposition during the Emergency. 1990: The implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations in 1990 triggered some of the most intense student protests Delhi University had seen. Rajiv Goswami, a student of Deshbandhu College, attempted self-immolation during the protests in September 1990 and subsequently became one of the most recognisable faces of the anti-Mandal movement. 2026: The latest election has brought the focus back to the most familiar and contentious aspect of student politics– physical clashes. The 2026 campaign witnessed clashes at several university locations, including Law Centre-I, Motilal Nehru College and Sri Aurobindo College.
The counting process was disrupted after several electronic voting machines malfunctioned. Rival student organisations questioned the machines and sought greater transparency in the counting process. The dispute subsequently reached the Delhi High Court. Following the results, Ankiv Baisoya, who had been elected DUSU president, faced allegations that he had submitted a fake undergraduate degree while seeking admission to Delhi University. Baisoya resigned as president and his admission was subsequently cancelled. Candidates approached the Delhi High Court over aspects of the election process, including eligibility, election rules and compliance with the Lyngdoh recommendations. Posters, graffiti and other campaign material covered walls and public spaces across Delhi. The scale of defacement prompted the Delhi High Court to intervene. The court directed candidates and their supporters to clean up the defaced properties, while imposing a stay on the counting of votes, making the declaration of the election result dependent on compliance. The court sought responses from several candidates over alleged violations of its directions.
2018: Few recent DUSU elections have generated as many different controversies as 2018. 2019: By 2019, litigation had become a recurring feature of DUSU elections. 2024: These elections produced a controversy that was less about what candidates said and more about what they left behind. 2025: The Delhi High Court imposed restrictions on victory processions following the 2025 DUSU elections.
