Rahul Gandhi's surprise visit: Delhi University 'furious', BJP calls it ‘photo-op circus’

Rahul Gandhi visits DU

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, made a surprise visit to Delhi University (DU) on Thursday. However, the university administration objected to the unannounced visit calling it a breach of institutional protocol and a disruption of student governance operations, India Today reported.

This was the second time Gandhi had arrived on campus without informing the authorities in advance, according to the university’s Proctor, Professor Rajni Abbi.

In a press statement, the Proctor said, "Today Rahul Gandhi came to University of Delhi without any information to the authorities. He stayed in the DUSU Office for almost one hour. During this time, the DUSU [Delhi University Students Union] was cordoned by security cover. Rahul Gandhi has done this for the second time for coming to the University without any intimation and information to University of Delhi."

The university also alleged that members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the Congress party's student wing, misbehaved with several students during the visit. Some students were reportedly locked inside the DUSU Secretary’s room, while the DUSU Secretary herself was prevented from entering her office. The university called the incident unacceptable and warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible.

Rahul Gandhi, during his visit, interacted with students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes at the Delhi University's North Campus, focusing on issues of representation, equality and academic justice, news agency PTI reported.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP criticised Gandhi's visit, calling it a “surprise photo-op” and accused Gandhi of turning the campus into a “circus.” BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya alleged that the campus, caught off guard, was thrown into chaos.

Malviya shared a video clip of a woman angrily questioning Rahul Gandhi on X, and wrote: "But amidst the staged optics, the real moment came when angry students confronted him -- demanding answers about his remarks on Pahalgam, questioning the intent behind casting aspersions on our security forces and Operation Sindoor."

"At a time when the entire nation is united behind our brave soldiers, the Congress would do well to remember: India is watching. And it won't forget these games," Malviya added.