Breach of institutional protocol: DU on Rahul Gandhi's unannounced visit
New Delhi, May 22 (PTI): Delhi University on Thursday objected to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's unannounced visit to its North Campus, calling it a breach of institutional protocol and a disruption of student governance operations.
"Shri Rahul Gandhi has done this for the second time... coming to the university without any intimation and information to University of Delhi," the proctor's office said in an official release.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi, who is also the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, interacted with students from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) at the DU's North Campus, focusing on issues of representation, equality and academic justice.
The session was held at the office of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) president.
The university condemned Gandhi's visit and said it hoped that such a thing would not happen again.
According to the release, Gandhi remained in the DUSU office for almost an hour, during which the area was cordoned off by security personnel.
The university criticised the visit for disrupting the functioning of a key student body.
"The DUSU office was cordoned off by security cover and no one was allowed to enter," it said, noting that the DUSU secretary was also barred from accessing her office.
"Some students were locked in the room of the secretary, DUSU, and were misbehaved with by NSUI students," it claimed.
These actions occurred while the DUSU secretary remained outside, seeking access to her office but was prevented from entering by members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the Congress' student wing, it added.
"The university condemns such action and hopes that this does not happen in future," the release said.
"Strict action will be taken against students who were involved in this," it added.
The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which holds several posts in the DUSU, also issued a statement criticising Gandhi's visit.
It said the Congress leader's visit was a photo-op rather than a genuine outreach and claimed that its representatives were sidelined during the event.
DUSU Secretary Mitravinda Karanwal, aligned with the ABVP, alleged that she and her team were prevented from entering the student body's office due to "VVIP protocol".
"Only after a lengthy negotiation was I 'graciously' allowed entry -- alone. I refused to leave the students behind," she said.
The ABVP termed the event "bad theatre".
It said, "Turning up uninvited, silencing elected voices and treating a student union office like a private drawing room is not leadership -- it's theatre."
"Rahul Gandhi visiting DU is like a rejected actor crashing a student play -- no role, no invite, just loud entry and bad reviews."
The ABVP further accused Gandhi of engaging with only select NSUI members in what it called an "echo chamber" instead of holding an open dialogue.
It said, "Is this the Congress party's idea of women empowerment? Of youth outreach? Of democratic values?"
Last week, Gandhi met students at an Ambedkar hostel in Bihar's Darbhanga district as part of his 'Shiksha Nyay Samvad'. The event, held without official permission, led to the registration of two FIRs against him and more than 100 Congress workers in the state.
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CM Siddaramaiah warns of possible rainfall dip, stresses uninterrupted drinking water supply
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said there is a possibility of a five per cent decrease in rainfall this year and asked officials to ensure that drinking water supply is not affected.
The CM gave these instructions at a meeting of additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and secretaries of all departments held at Vidhana Soudha.
“There is a possibility of a five per cent decrease in rainfall this year. District in-charge secretaries should constantly monitor the drinking water situation in their districts. Meetings should be held with deputy commissioners and zilla panchayat chief executive officers in this regard,” Siddaramaiah said.
“It is the responsibility of the respective secretaries to resolve the problems of the districts under their jurisdiction. Drinking water supply should not be affected for any reason,” his office quoted him as saying in a statement.
Pointing out that B R Ambedkar had warned against officials appeasing politicians, as it could lead to dictatorship, the CM asked officials to work within the framework of the law.
“Give suggestions to ministers within the scope of the law. Bringing a good name to the government depends on the work of the secretaries,” he said, adding that the administration should be made more agile.
Siddaramaiah said the role of departmental secretaries is crucial for the proper functioning of the state administration, as recognised in the Constitution. “It is the duty of all secretaries to act in accordance with the Constitution. They should not do anything against it,” he said.
Referring to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister, Siddaramaiah said Patel had emphasised in the constituent assembly that secretaries should fearlessly and independently convey their views to ministers and not hesitate to speak the truth, even if it displeases them.
He urged senior officials to express their opinions fearlessly, independently, and truthfully.
The CM said implementing budget announcements is the responsibility of officials, noting that 15 announcements from last year’s budget are yet to be implemented. “Who is responsible for this?” he asked.
The government made a total of 565 announcements in this year’s budget, including 218 new ones, he said, adding, “It is the responsibility of officials to implement all budget announcements within the same year. They should not remain unimplemented for any reason. Bring any practical difficulties in implementation directly to my notice or that of the chief secretary.”
Out of the announcements in the 2026-27 budget, government orders have been issued for only five, he said.
“All government orders should be implemented, and execution should begin by May; otherwise, the respective secretaries will be held responsible.”
Siddaramaiah said delays in addressing public grievances could erode people’s trust in the government.
“This should not be allowed. Similarly, applications received under Sakala (a government initiative to guarantee services to citizens within a stipulated time) should be disposed of on time.”
Stating that immediate steps should be taken to fill vacant sanctioned posts, he said the finance department has approved the filling of 24,300 posts.
“There are 32,132 posts pending in cadres related to Kalyana Karnataka, and the recruitment process has not yet begun. The revision of cadre and recruitment rules is pending in some departments and should be completed at the earliest,” he said.
Under various centrally sponsored programmes, the state government released its share of Rs 22,768 crore in 2025–26, while the Centre released Rs 16,729 crore. Siddaramaiah said Rs 11,367 crore is still pending from the Centre.
He also directed officials to ensure that grants are utilised within the stipulated period.
Highlighting that contracts worth up to Rs 2 crore have been reserved for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe contractors, the chief minister said such reservations should not be bypassed by bundling works into larger packages.
“All works should be completed within the stipulated time. Construction costs should not escalate due to delays,” he added.
The chief minister also launched the new “Karnataka Progress Portal” and a handbook related to monitoring schemes, approvals, and inter-departmental coordination.
