Turban Tussle: Delhi College Clash Over DUSU Polls Sparks Outrage as Student's Turban Falls During Brawl

A Delhi University student was assaulted in a clash between two student groups at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, which resulted in the student’s turban falling. The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral, sparking widespread outrage. The altercation occurred outside the principal’s office, escalating tensions amid ongoing protests over the college's decision not to participate in the upcoming Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections.

The conflict arose following an announcement by the college administration that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College would not be involved in the September 27 DUSU elections. The decision came after the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), the governing body of the college, directed the institution to hold its own internal elections instead of participating in the university-wide vote. The move led to protests from student factions, particularly from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), both of whom demanded the college’s inclusion in the DUSU polls.

In the video, a group of students is seen gathered outside the principal’s office. Tensions escalated when a student, wearing a red turban, was pulled and physically assaulted by a few others. During the assault, his turban fell to the ground, a deeply offensive act in Sikh culture. Several students intervened, retrieving the turban and helping the assaulted student to safety. Meanwhile, other students continued to confront the college authorities.

As the incident unfolded, some students rushed towards the college gate, further intensifying the chaotic scene. The student whose turban fell filed a police complaint, and an FIR was lodged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). The charges included causing deliberate harm, criminal intimidation, and collective liability.

The controversy stems from the DSGMC's decision to hold separate student elections for its affiliated colleges, including Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College and Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce. These colleges, although affiliated with Delhi University, were instructed to dissociate from the DUSU elections. In contrast, Mata Sundri College for Women, another DSGMC-run institution, remains part of the DUSU electoral process.

The principal of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Gurmohinder Singh, defended the decision to conduct independent elections, stating that office bearers would be nominated by the college’s Staff Advisory Committee. However, this move has been met with resistance from various student groups, leading to protests and, ultimately, the violent clashes.

The ABVP has also filed a legal petition challenging the exclusion of DSGMC-run colleges from DUSU. As tensions continue to rise, the Delhi University administration is under pressure to address the concerns of students while ensuring that future elections proceed smoothly and safely.

This incident has highlighted the growing tensions on college campuses over student representation and governance, with the physical altercation adding a new layer of urgency to the ongoing debate. As the investigation continues, both the college and university authorities are expected to take further steps to restore peace and address the grievances of the student body.