A shocking protest by the DUSU President shook Delhi University’s Lakshmibai College after cow dung was allegedly smeared on the principal’s office walls. The incident, caught on video, has sparked sharp reactions from students, faculty, and the public. While some call it a bold stand against administrative apathy, others demand strict disciplinary action.
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New Delhi – In a dramatic and controversial turn of events at Lakshmibai College, Delhi University, the President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) allegedly smeared cow dung on the walls of the Principal’s office. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has ignited a storm of outrage on campus and across social media, raising serious questions about the state of student activism, campus discipline, and the effectiveness of college administration.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest was carried out in broad daylight, with students accompanying the DUSU President as they marched into the administrative block of the college. The act was reportedly recorded and shared online, gaining traction and triggering a wave of criticism and debate. While the DUSU President has not yet issued an official statement, sources close to the student leader claim the action was intended to draw attention to “long-standing mismanagement, favoritism, and student neglect” within the college.
The administration, on the other hand, has strongly condemned the incident, calling it an “act of vandalism and utter disrespect.” College authorities have filed a formal complaint with the university administration and are reportedly exploring legal action. “This kind of behavior has no place in a reputed institution. There are ways to protest, but crossing the line into defacement and insult is completely unacceptable,” a senior college official stated.
Faculty members have expressed deep concern over the rising culture of aggression in student politics. “We understand students have concerns and grievances, but such extreme acts undermine dialogue and decorum,” said one senior professor, requesting anonymity.
Student reactions on campus remain divided. While a section of students condemned the protest, terming it “regressive and shameful,” others voiced support, insisting that such drastic steps were necessary to expose the alleged authoritarianism and lack of transparency in the administration. “We’ve written letters, staged silent protests, and tried to engage respectfully, but nothing has worked. This was symbolic—meant to show how rotten the system has become,” said a student associated with the protest.
This is not the first time student protests have taken a controversial turn at Delhi University. Over the years, DUSU has been at the center of multiple headline-making incidents, some involving altercations with authorities, while others highlighted legitimate concerns about academic freedom, sanitation, hostel issues, and arbitrary disciplinary actions.
Lakshmibai College, one of the prominent women’s colleges under Delhi University, has seen an increase in student unrest in recent months. Complaints range from delayed internal assessments to biased disciplinary actions, with students alleging that many of their voices are systematically silenced. Activists argue that the cow dung protest, while extreme, reflects a broader sense of frustration.
Legal experts have weighed in on the potential consequences of such a protest. “Defacement of public property and harassment of public servants can attract legal consequences under IPC sections,” said Advocate Ramesh Kaushik, a Delhi-based lawyer. “However, whether action will be taken depends on how the university chooses to proceed.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi University administration has called for calm and has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident. The panel is expected to submit its report within the week. “We are committed to maintaining peace on campus and addressing student concerns through proper channels,” the statement read.
The incident has also drawn political attention, with student wings of various parties weighing in. While ABVP-backed groups have defended the protest as a “wake-up call,” left-affiliated student organizations criticized the “uncivil and unsanitary” nature of the demonstration.
As the investigation unfolds, one thing is certain: this incident has added a fresh layer of complexity to the conversation around student rights, administrative accountability, and the evolving nature of campus activism in India. Whether the protest will lead to meaningful change or simply add to the chaos remains to be seen.
