In DUSU, tug-of-war over office space

Delhi University. (Source: File)

Even as confusion looms over the fate of the Delhi University Students’ Union president, the university Friday witnessed another tussle for office — this time literally. While DUSU secretary Mahamedhaa Nagar from the ABVP claimed her office was vandalised by Kunal Sehrawat, DUSU’s vice-president from the NSUI, Sehrawat said Nagar had done it herself so she could grab his office space.

Trouble began when Nagar demanded that the office, which has been occupied by the vice-president for the last few years, be allotted to her. She said since that room did not face the president’s, it would be “safe” for students who visit her. NSUI’s Rocky Tuseed, who won the post of president, is facing an uncertain future after the High Court received an application highlighting a 2014 FIR against him.

“Before I could take charge, some NSUI people commanded by Kunal broke into my room and vandalised the office. When I reached my office by 2 pm, I found fans and the computer had been broken, and sofas and chairs had been overturned,” alleged Nagar, who also filed a police complaint.

“This was done because I demanded a room which the vice-president has been using for the last few years. But that was because of a mutual understanding. Nowhere in the DUSU constitution does it say that the room belongs to the vice-president. I wanted it because it has a separate entry, and it’s also away from other offices, especially the room of the president, who is facing criminal charges.”

Nagar said she then occupied Sehrawat’s office in retaliation. But Sehrawat alleged she was behind the vandalism. “Why would I break into her room? It makes no sense. She got people to vandalise her room so she could capture mine. She came with some girls and sat in my room after the incident,” he said.