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Wedding celebrations for Hansraj College principal’s son spark student protests, with allegations of campus misuse, disrupted sports events and hostel use.
Hansraj College campus decorated for the principal’s son’s wedding celebrations.
Hansraj College in Delhi is decked up with colourful tents and elaborate decor for the wedding celebrations of Principal Rama Sharma’s son today, sparking protests from a section of students who allege misuse of campus infrastructure. Viral visuals show the premises covered in pink-and-white canopies, with workers preparing the venue and parts of the campus, including the hostel building, reportedly arranged as accommodation for guests.
On Monday, over 200 students gathered around 3 pm on the grounds, raising slogans and holding placards against the administration. Student groups, including SFI and ABVP, have accused the principal of using facilities meant for students for a private function.
Ground Reserved, Sports Events Disrupted
According to protesters, the college sports ground had been reserved for a private function, forcing sports activities and practice sessions to stop. Matches under the annual ‘Khelo Hansraj’ tournament, earlier planned from February 4 to 27, were reportedly shifted to other venues after the ground was cordoned off and decorated.
Students said they are normally not allowed to use the ground after 4:30 pm and often struggle to get permission for events such as freshers’ welcomes and farewells. They alleged that despite these restrictions, the space was made available for the wedding preparations.
“We are usually asked to leave the campus by 5pm, but during the Khelo Hansraj game we are given extra hours to use the ground for practice sessions. The games for now have been cancelled and the ground has been deemed out of bounds for students,” said 21-year-old BA Hons student.
“We weren’t even informed of the reason for cancelling the games. We discovered the preparation was for the principal’s son’s marriage.”
Students also raised safety concerns, claiming that pits and damage caused during the setup could lead to injuries during sports practice.
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Hostel opened For Guests, Access Restricted
The protesters further claimed the boys’ hostel, closed for over a year after being declared “unfit for living”, was opened to accommodate relatives and guests attending the ceremony. They said residents were displaced when the hostel was shut but no repair work had been visible since.
Another student present at the protest said access to parts of the campus had also been restricted. They alleged that the vacated boys’ hostel, declared unfit for habitation last year due to poor infrastructure, was being decorated and used as a guesthouse for wedding attendees. “Since [the hostel was vacated], we have never seen any construction. But today we saw it being decorated,” a second-year student stated.
Students further alleged they were being asked to take longer routes inside the campus because of the arrangements. “We usually enter the college and hostel through Gate No 5. But because decorations are going on there, students are being told to take alternative routes. Since the main gate is under construction, we are being forced to walk through the teachers’ flats, which is a much longer route,” said a third-year History (Hons) student.
Student Groups Demand Action
SFI Hansraj College Secretary Asikul Islam said, “The Principal treats our campus like a private estate while we endure crumbling facilities. Today’s massive turnout shows students will not stand for it.”
ABVP also issued a statement alleging that a hostel closed for students was being opened for the principal’s relatives. During the protest, ABVP members raised slogans and demanded action against the administration. Some protesters alleged they were pressured to end the protest.
DU Says Principal Allowed To Host Function At Official Residence
Responding to the controversy, Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta said there was “no unnecessary controversy” and clarified that the principal lives in the college-allotted residence and is permitted to hold personal functions there. “The principal resides in the official accommodation and has the right to host celebrations. This is not the first time such an event has taken place, and she is allowed to organise it,” Gupta told ANI.
February 10, 2026, 14:53 IST
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