Rehan Khan
The Faculty of Law at Delhi University (DU) has announced the suspension of the LL.B. examinations initially slated to begin on December 26, 2024. This decision follows widespread protests by students from the university’s three law campuses: —Campus Law Centre, Law Centre-1, and Law Centre-2:—who voiced their concerns over incomplete syllabus coverage and inadequate preparation time.
Students raised serious objections, claiming that a significant portion of the syllabus had not been adequately taught due to various disruptions, including a shuffle in the teaching faculty and the last-minute appointment of guest lecturers earlier in December. These factors, according to students, left them underprepared for the upcoming exams, prompting them to call for a postponement to ensure sufficient time for study.
When their initial requests for rescheduling went unanswered, students staged a peaceful protest on Monday, i.e., December 16, outside the law faculty premises. Tensions escalated as protestors reportedly blocked the Dean, Professor Anju Vali Tikoo, from exiting the campus later that evening.
The situation intensified, drawing a significant police presence to the site. According to a report by Times of India, around 60 police personnel and paramilitary forces were deployed to maintain order. A student, speaking to Bar & Bench, alleged that tear gas was used to disperse the demonstrators.
In response to the unrest, the law faculty issued a notice signed by the Dean, officially putting the examinations on hold. The notice stated:
“The Date Sheet relating to LL.B I/III/V Term December/January 2024 Examination scheduled from 26th December, 2024 is put on hold.”
This development has been met with a mix of relief and concern among students. While some see it as a necessary step to address their grievances, others worry about the uncertainty surrounding the new examination dates. The university administration has yet to provide a revised schedule or clarity on how it plans to address the underlying issues raised by students.