Stalking, Eve-Teasing, Catcalling Rampant in DUSU Elections: DU's Women Students
The students echoed concerns about large groups of men, including outsiders, “barging in” to women-only colleges.
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*Names have been changed to protect their identity.
Elections to the Delhi University Student Union (DUSU), touted as one of the largest elected student bodies in India, concluded on 19 September. More than 59,000 votes were polled for each of the four central posts in DUSU.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), clinched three posts; while one went to the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
Alongside aggressive campaigning, the run up to these elections were marred by rampant instances of sexual harassment faced by women students — raising serious questions about Delhi University's responsibility in ensuring the safety of women, particularly during the election period.
“I was returning to my PG accommodation after college when a black SUV with tinted windows started following me. The banner on the car was seeking votes for a presidential candidate of a leading party. The men in the car rolled down the windows and passed disgusting comments and racial slurs,” alleged Tara*, a 4th year student.
Women students described feeling “unsafe and uncomfortable” on campus and claimed that neither the college's security guards nor the police intervened, even as Delhi University authorities looked the other way.
'Whistled, Stared at Us; Specifically Target Women from Northeast'
The Quint spoke to six women students from Miranda House college and all of them described being followed by big, black SUVs with tinted windows which didn’t bear Delhi number plates. They alleged that the SUVs belonged to cadres of two leading parties, who were campaigning for DUSU elections.
“On 18 September, which was voting day, I was walking back from the college to my rented apartment at around noon when a black SUV started following me. I paced but it followed me to the bylane where my apartment is located. I was in shock,” claimed Vandana*, a 4th year English (Hons.) student.
Arti*, a 2nd year student, who resides in the Miranda House hostel, recounted an incident, where she was hounded by a group of 50-60 men, who coerced her to vote for their respective parties. She said:
Tara* too recalled being “blocked” by a group of 15-20 men while she was buying groceries in Vijay Nagar, a residential area close to North Campus. "When I resisted, they started name calling and filming me. They specifically target women from the Northeast,” she lamented.
Delhi High Court Pulls Up 7 Candidates, Including DUSU Prez, Secy
Meanwhile, Kavita* told The Quint that as she stepped out of the college gate for tea and snacks, she was hounded by a group of men, who began asking for their phone number, address and social media handles.
“They were men in their late 20’s or early 30’s, possibly outsiders. When we asked them why they wanted our personal details, they said they’ll deliver pizzas and goodies to our homes, which clearly violates election rules,” she said.
The Delhi High Court on September 19 pulled up seven candidates, including newly elected DUSU President Aryan Mann and Secretary Kunal Chaudhary, for alleged violations of election code.
“What can be worse than such kind of campaigns in student union elections. The use of JCBs, big and luxury cars, four wheelers, this is unknown. From where do they get such big cars — Bentley, Rolls Royce and Ferraris? How are the students getting this? We haven't even heard of these cars," a Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said.
'But No Action from College, DU Authorities or Delhi Police'
The students also echoed concerns about large groups of men, including outsiders “barging in” to the women-only college—disrupting lectures, rallying in the canteen and creating ruckus in the name of electioneering.
“Students of Miranda House have historically resisted ABVP’s politics of hyper-masculinity and chauvinism. This time too, the freshers openly asked them to go back. A video from the incident went viral on social media. The comments section is full of hate, calling us prostitutes for not supporting their politics,” Unnati* told The Quint.
The DUSU Election Code of Conduct 2025-26 clearly states that a candidate can bring no more than four bonafide students while canvassing in a college or campus. But women from Miranda House alleged that the rule was brazenly violated.
She added that though security measures were beefed up at the college after the 2022 incident — when unknown men broke into the Miranda House hostel during the Diwali fest — but it hasn’t helped in containing incidents of sexual harassment.
Mira*, a third year English (Hons.) student, claimed that she immediately informed the police deployed on campus after she was stalked by a black SUV last week. But to no avail.
“We were harassed in broad daylight and the police did nothing. I came back to the college and raised it with my seniors and professors. All they could tell me was – avoid going out or be careful,” Mira* said. She added that this wasn’t the first such incident.
“In March this year, I was being followed, and I ran towards the principal’s residence to seek cover. Later, I filed a First Information Report (FIR) and provided video clips to the police. Even when they traced the perpetrator from the vehicle’s registration plate, all the police did was call up his parents and scold them,” Mira alleged.
'Normalisation of Harassment Causing Despair Among Women Students'
Women students asserted that the inaction by DU authorities has enabled hooliganism in the garb of electioneering.
“Candidates and their supporters speed on their bikes across the campus, unafraid of the police, like they own the place. Meanwhile, our mobility is restricted and daily activities disrupted. We can’t go out for a walk. We take an off on voting day to protect ourselves. What is the point of holding elections when we can't even partake in the democratic process,” Kavita* said. She added that defaulters not being reprimanded discourages them further.
The students contended that beefing up security won’t be effective until the rules and regulations are adhered to strictly.
“When the security guards thoroughly check the ID cards of the students belonging to the college daily, why do they become complacent during elections? How are outsiders allowed to enter our college? A women-only space has also become unsafe for us!” Mira* retorted.
“Since the incidents last week, I have been feeling jittery and find myself looking over my shoulder whenever I leave my house. Is ensuring our safety not a priority for the university?” asked Tara*.
At the same time, normalisation of instances of sexual harassment by the authorities has caused great despair and disappointment to women students.
“It’s not that our professors and administration are unaware of these instances, yet there is no conversation around the issue. Eve-teasing, stalking and catcalling is so rampant that it has been normalised. We are so helpless that there seems to be no other option but to get used to it,” Vandana* lamented. She told The Quint that a letter, compiling complaints of sexual harassment faced by students during elections, was sent to the college principal on 17 September but they haven’t yet received a response.
Unnati* added that a progressive discourse on the issue was paramount to ensure their safety, protect their mental health and prevent them from suffering in isolation. “Students need to be aware and don’t have to be passive bystanders,” she contended.
The Quint has reached out to DU’s Vice Chancellor and Procter; DUSU’s Election Committee as well as the Principal and administration at Miranda House. The Quint will update the story once they respond.