Student Protests, Confusion, and Chaos: DU Law Exam Marred by Attendance Row and Administrative Lapses
A significant disruption rocked the University of Delhi's Faculty of Law on May 27, 2025, as scheduled LLB exams were delayed by nearly four hours due to widespread student protests. The controversy stemmed from the last-minute detention of 586 students for short attendance—a decision reportedly announced just two days before the exam. The Campus Law Centre became a site of unrest as protesters, led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), challenged what they termed an arbitrary and anti-student move by the university administration.
Detentions Spark Campus-Wide Outrage
According to DU’s existing academic policy, students are required to maintain a minimum of 75% attendance to be eligible for semester-end exams. However, student groups argued that no provision was made for remedial classes this semester, which are typically offered to help students make up for attendance shortfalls. With many of the detained students in their final semester, the stakes were high. Protesters feared that the detentions could delay their graduation, potentially affecting their future academic and career plans.
The abrupt announcement of detentions, just 48 hours before the exams, caught students off guard. While some boycotted the examination in solidarity with their peers, others joined large protests outside the Campus Law Centre, demanding immediate revocation of the detentions.
Exam Delayed Amid Clashes and Heavy Police Presence
The LLB term examination, originally scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., was delayed until 1 p.m. due to ongoing agitation. Videos from the site showed a tense atmosphere on campus, with a significant police presence deployed to control the situation. Scuffles broke out between student groups—primarily ABVP and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI)—adding to the chaos.
One incident further fueled tensions: NSUI leader and Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) president Ronak Khatri, also a final-year law student, was spotted exiting the exam hall. Protesters questioned how Khatri was allowed to appear for the exam if he, too, was allegedly detained for short attendance, accusing the administration of favoritism.
Dean’s Response: Provisional Relief, But Unanswered Questions
Later in the day, the Faculty of Law issued an official notice aimed at defusing the crisis. Dean Anju Vali Tikoo announced that all detained students would be “provisionally allowed” to appear for the exam, subject to clearance by an enquiry committee. The notice, however, failed to specify the purpose, timeline, or structure of the committee, leaving students anxious about the outcome and its impact on their academic progression.
While the provisional clearance offered temporary relief, it did little to address the larger issue of administrative opacity and lack of preparedness. Many students and faculty members questioned why attendance discrepancies and eligibility issues were not flagged earlier in the semester, allowing time for remediation.
Voices of Protest: Students Demand Accountability
ABVP Delhi state secretary Sarthak Sharma strongly condemned the administration’s handling of the situation. In a statement, he said,
“The dean’s biased and anti-student decision has pushed hundreds of students to the brink. It’s unfortunate that educational institutions, instead of supporting students, are crushing their aspirations.”
His remarks reflected a broader sentiment of disillusionment among students, many of whom expressed that the university’s sudden move had disrupted not only their exams but also their mental well-being and academic futures.
Chaos Spills to Other Exam Centres
The confusion wasn’t confined to the Campus Law Centre. At several alternate exam centres assigned to students, the mismanagement reached new heights. Reports emerged of question papers failing to arrive on time, and answer sheets being distributed before students were eventually told to leave. The disorganization left hundreds of students who had traveled long distances in a state of limbo.
AISA DU secretary Anjali described the situation as complete chaos:
“Due to mismanagement and last-minute detentions, there was complete confusion. Even at other colleges where students were assigned to take the exam, the question papers did not arrive. Students were eventually asked to leave after waiting for hours. Many found out only later that the exam was conducted elsewhere. The administration must re-conduct the exam for all those affected.”
Demand for Re-examination Grows
In the aftermath of the exam, student unions and individual students have come together to demand a re-examination for all those impacted by the delays and confusion. Many feel that the lack of communication, logistical breakdown, and sudden enforcement of attendance rules have created an uneven playing field.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for DU Administration
The incident at Delhi University’s Faculty of Law highlights deep-rooted issues of administrative inefficiency, lack of transparency, and poor crisis management. While the provisional permission granted to detained students is a short-term fix, the larger questions around policy enforcement, student support systems, and academic fairness remain unanswered.
As the enquiry committee begins its work, students await clarity and fairness. The hope now is that the administration takes this as a wake-up call to improve communication, plan assessments better, and prioritize the academic welfare of students over bureaucratic rigidity.
