Flowers, fear, and ‘apolitical’ claims: Inside the LSR campus protest |
On April 16, students of Delhi University’s Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) posted a sheet of paper outside their principal’s office that read, “We come in peace.” The note was framed with marigold flowers and roses.
For the past three days, a section of students at LSR has protested against Principal Kanika Ahuja after the Bharatiya Janata Party shared a video of her supporting the Women’s Reservation Bill on its official Instagram handle.
Students told Newslaundry that since April 15, protesters have begun covering their faces and referring to each other as “Basanti” to avoid identification and possible disciplinary action. They also reported police presence outside the college on the morning of April 17.
Every student Newslaundry spoke to requested anonymity, fearing targeting by college authorities.
LSR students posted a sheet of paper outside their principal's office that read, "We Come in Peace."
The ‘apolitical’ paradox
“In our college, the word ‘apolitical’ is used like a weapon,” a student said.
She described how discussions around campus safety, caste, or national issues are often discouraged. “If students come together to talk about harassment at the back gate, we are told not to raise slogans because the college is ‘apolitical’. If the SC/ST cell discusses caste, that too is labelled ‘political’. Even in classrooms, certain questions are dismissed as ‘too political’.”
Students that Newslaundry spoke to said this stands in contrast to the principal’s video appearing on a political party’s platform.
“If she were speaking as an individual, that is still fine. But her designation as principal is mentioned, and she speaks about the students of this college. You cannot represent the institution and then call it a personal opinion,” another student said, referring to Ahuja’s statement to The Indian Express. “If this video had appeared on a Congress page, we would still have raised the issue.”
Ahuja was reported as saying that........