Students of Indraprastha College for Women under the University of Delhi have alleged that they were locked inside the campus for over an hour and prevented from leaving during an event on April 8.
According to The Times of India, the incident took place around noon when a programme linked to the Centre’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative was being held at the college auditorium. The event, organised by the political science department, was titled ‘Viksit Bharat @2047 and World Order’ and had invited external dignitaries.
Students claimed that security personnel shut the main gate while the programme was underway and asked those trying to leave to instead attend the event. Videos shared online show students gathered near the gate, arguing with guards. Some students said they had family emergencies and needed to leave, while a guard reportedly said the gate had been locked on the principal’s instructions.
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Allegations of forced attendance spark backlash
Students said the gates were opened only after a large group gathered and objected to the restriction. They also pointed out that multiple events were scheduled on campus that day, including a certificate course session on menstrual health and hygiene organised in collaboration with UNESCO at a different venue. According to them, there was pressure to attend such events to ensure turnout. Some students alleged that attending programmes is often treated as mandatory, with attendance for regular classes linked to participation in these events. A postgraduate student, requesting anonymity, said they were heading home after classes when they found the gates shut. “We were not even told what the event was. Some of us had other commitments and were getting calls from home. We were kept there for over an hour,” the student said.
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The Students’ Federation of India criticised the incident, calling it a violation of student autonomy. In a post, the group said forcing students to attend events by locking gates reflects misuse of authority. There was no immediate response from the college administration. Calls and messages to principal Poonam Kumria went unanswered till the time of reporting.
