Delhi University (DU) expressed its disapproval on Thursday regarding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's unannounced visit to the North Campus, labeling it a breach of institutional protocol and an interference in student administration activities.

The proctor's office issued a statement indicating, 'This is the second time Mr. Rahul Gandhi has visited without prior notice.'

Earlier in the day, Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, engaged with students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) at DU, focusing on issues of representation, equality, and academic justice. This interaction took place at the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) office.

The university condemned Gandhi's visit, expressing hope that such incidents would not recur. According to the statement, he spent nearly an hour at the DUSU office, during which security personnel cordoned off the area.

The university criticized the visit for disrupting the functioning of the student union, stating, 'The DUSU office was secured, preventing anyone from entering.' It was noted that even the DUSU secretary was barred from accessing their office.

The statement further claimed, 'Some students were locked in the DUSU secretary's room, and NSUI members mistreated them.' This occurred while the DUSU secretary was attempting to enter their office, but NSUI members obstructed their entry.

The university condemned such actions and expressed hope that they would not happen again, stating, 'Strict action will be taken against the students involved.'

In response, DUSU president Raunak Khatri, affiliated with NSUI, argued that there is no rule requiring the student union president to seek permission to host a private guest.

He asserted, 'It should be made clear: this visit was conducted peacefully and solely within the DUSU office premises, where I, as the duly elected president of Delhi University Students' Union, am fully entitled to invite any guest.'

Khatri emphasized, 'There is no academic or legal rule that obligates the DUSU president to obtain prior permission for hosting private or informal guest meetings, especially when it does not constitute a public gathering or violate campus security.'

He described the characterization of the visit as unauthorized as not only 'factually incorrect' but also misleading and indicative of 'administrative overreach.' Khatri remarked, 'Unfortunately, this press note from DU appears politically motivated and biased, undermining the democratic and autonomous functioning of the student community.'

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), affiliated with the RSS, also criticized Gandhi's visit, issuing a statement. The ABVP holds several positions within DUSU.

The ABVP claimed that Gandhi's visit was more about photo opportunities than genuinely connecting with students, alleging that their representatives were sidelined during the event.

Last week, Gandhi met with students at the Ambedkar hostel in Darbhanga district, Bihar, under his 'Education Justice Dialogue.' This event, held without official permission, led to two FIRs being filed against him and over 100 Congress workers in the state.