In opposition to the announcement of a talk organised by a group named Brahmins of Delhi University, another students' community, who call themselves the Humans of Delhi University, have also come forth with their own event which is to be held simultaneously at the university premises.
The Students' Federation of India (SFI) of Delhi University (DU) shared a virtual leaflet on the social media platform Instagram, yesterday, Friday, May 3, intimating students about it.
What is the event by the Humans of DU?
The event titled 'Brahmanvad chhodo, Jaati ke Bandhan todo', which translates to 'Desist Brahminism, break the barriers of caste', is to be held at the Arts Faculty of DU on May 10. The event is purported to be a photo exhibition and an open mic on the recent wave of events favouring the sentiments of right-wing nationalists and the normalisation of casteist politics on the campus.
To understand the nature of the event, EdexLive spoke to Parichay, a law student and a member of the Humans of Delhi University. Emphasising the event organised by the Brahmins of Delhi University, he expressed that an event of such a nature was never held, especially with the administration's support.
"Given that there are ideological wars ongoing in the university, it was pertinent that we uphold the values of not just a certain caste or community, but come together as equals to desist the partisan tendencies," said Parichay.
Hence, he asserts, "We, as a group, identify ourselves as Humans of Delhi University, a collective of students standing against divisive politics."
The student adds that the organisation has held similar events in the past, such as the recent Constitution March to uphold the importance of the Constitution against the event that celebrated the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Elusive event by the Brahmins of DU
Parichay informed EdexLive that the students filed a Right to Information (RTI) inquiry on May 2. They demanded to know the nature of the event, details of the organisers, officials who permitted events of such a nature, and the value the talk holds.
Parichay said, "We want to know why the event was permitted to be held at the Conference Hall, where crucial issues are discussed. We are still unaware of where the permission had come from and through what channel, hence the students decided to file an RTI."
Event to make campus equal and just for all
Previously, students complained that events that resist the saffronisation of DU and call out the ABVP-Admin nexus have been suppressed. When asked if this time as well, the event by the Humans of DU is facing a threat of being cancelled, Parichay assured EdexLive that the event is non-threatening in nature and unless students join in greater numbers, it may not be interrupted by the miscreants.
"We expect a lot of students to join our cause, and propagate the message. We believe in students and their collective consciousness to support scientific and progressive thought," said Parichay. Furthermore, he contends that if students do not resist, then the other forces will grow stronger and become a larger threat to an equal and just campus.
