DELHI — University of Delhi has strongly rejected allegations made by Rahul Gandhi that the institution discriminates against students from marginalized communities during interviews.
The controversy arose after Gandhi, a Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, made remarks during a “Social Justice Day” event in Lucknow on friday marking the birth anniversary of Kanshi Ram.
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegation
Speaking at the event, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the interview system at Delhi University is used as a mechanism to eliminate students based on their caste.
According to him, students from marginalized backgrounds may perform well academically but are allegedly filtered out during personal interviews once their caste identity becomes known.
“I went to Delhi University. There is a way to remove children in interviews. What is your caste, brother? You failed in the interview,” Gandhi said.
His statement suggested that interviews can act as a systemic barrier for candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other disadvantaged communities.
Delhi University’s Strong Rebuttal
In response, Delhi University issued a strong statement through its official communication channels, urging the opposition leader to verify facts before making such claims.
The university said it “strongly objects” to remarks that could create an environment not conducive to academic activities.
“We strongly object to such comments as they create an environment in the university that is not conducive to studies. The Leader of Opposition should have checked the facts before making such a statement,” the university said.
Clarification on Admission Process
The university clarified that admissions to most undergraduate and postgraduate programs are conducted transparently through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) system.
Common University Entrance Test scores form the primary basis for admission decisions, ensuring a standardized and merit-based process across institutions.
DU also emphasized that interviews are generally not part of the admission process for the majority of its courses, making claims of interview-based discrimination inaccurate.
Faculty Recruitment Process
Addressing possible references to recruitment practices, the university stated that faculty hiring follows a transparent and merit-based procedure.
According to DU, thousands of teachers from various social categories—including SC, ST, OBC, and unreserved groups—have been appointed in recent years.
The institution maintained that its processes are designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all candidates.
Ongoing Debate
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks have added to the ongoing political debate over caste representation and fairness in India’s higher education system.
While the opposition leader highlighted concerns about discrimination, Delhi University has categorically denied the allegations and reiterated that its admissions and recruitment processes follow established guidelines.
