NEW DELHI: While the demand for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation continued amid the ongoing CJP-led agitation, several Delhi University (DU) colleges shared posts from their official social media handles backing the minister.The posts came a day after DU, through its official X handle, said students’ concerns were being exploited by “vested interests”.At the same time, student societies and unions in other colleges issued statements, condemning police action on protesters and expressing solidarity with the agitation.Among the colleges that posted messages supporting Pradhan from their official social media handles were Shyam Lal College, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College and Rajdhani College, which later took down its post and issued an apology.The posts carried near-identical posters with the headline “We Stand With Dharmendra Pradhan”, highlighting the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) and other education reforms.One of the posters said, “Just because some thugs have leaked a paper, doesn’t mean he (Pradhan) should be punished. People who leaked the paper must be punished — strictly and swiftly. “Shyam Lal College, in a post on X, congratulated Pradhan for the “successful implementation of NEP 2020”, saying the policy had advanced multidisciplinary learning, research, innovation and academic excellence. A similar poster was reposted from the official X account of the principal of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, which said: “We stand with Hon’ble Education Minister Sh. Dharmendra Pradhan for his commitment to implement NEP and modernising India’s education system... Let us strengthen institutions, not weaken them.”After taking down the post, Rajdhani College issued an Instagram story saying: “The college administration expresses regret over the post shared yesterday from the college’s official Instagram handle. The administration stands with students’ interests and unity and necessary steps will be taken to ensure such situations do not recur.”Bhagini Nivedita College principal Prof Ruby Mishra shared a message on Facebook addressed to students that read: “You are the conscience and the future of Bharat. Ask the toughest questions. Write fearlessly. Research deeply. Debate passionately… Participate in the democratic process with knowledge and integrity. But never allow anger, misinformation, or political passions to lead you toward violence, destruction, or hostility against those who protect our nation.”A similar pro-reforms creative was also shared on WhatsApp by DU’s School of Open Learning director Payal Mago.Prof Neelam Rathi, acting principal of Aditi Mahavidyalaya, posted on social media, urging students to “stay away from any kind of violent protest, vandalism, arson or activities that disturb law and order”, asserting that violence was “not the solution to any problem”. She appealed to them to express their views through peaceful, democratic and lawful means and refrain from sharing unverified or provocative content on social media.In contrast, several student bodies and societies expressed solidarity with the protesters. Civil Services Forum of St Stephen’s College, a student forum, said it “unequivocally condemns the reported coercive police action against peaceful protesters, including social activist Sonam Wangchuk,” adding that “the right to peaceful dissent is not merely a democratic ideal, it is a guarantee that must be respected.”The Quiz Society of Sri Venkateswara College issued a “Statement of Solidarity”, saying it “resolutely condemns the assault against children and students as part of the crackdown on peaceful protesters in central Delhi on July 20 in the form of lathi-charges and tear-gassing.” It added, “We support the cause of the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march and the subsequent ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar, which seeks accountability, rectification and compensation in relation to the NEET paper leaks case.”Shivaji College Students’ Union said, “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the protesting students in their pursuit of accountability, transparency, and educational justice.” Calling peaceful protest a constitutional right, it added: “The response of the State must always remain proportionate, lawful, and respectful of fundamental rights.”
