New Delhi: Police resorted to lathicharge outside Delhi University’s Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) College in Dwarka on Friday afternoon after a massive crowd gathered for the second day of its annual fest, Kalrav 2026, where singer Mohit Chauhan performed.Purported videos circulating on social media showed police personnel using batons to disperse the crowd amid chaotic scenes at the college gate. A few clips also showed attendees attempting to scale the boundary wall to enter the campus. Students alleged that a stampede-like situation developed after the entry was restricted and police used force to disperse the crowd.
A senior police officer said no formal inquiry had been initiated as no one was injured and no medico-legal case was registered. “The crowd included many outsiders. There were two separate lines, one for boys and another for girls, but the boys’ line was much longer. Some boys moved into the girls’ line, began misbehaving, and were pushing and shoving,” he said.Both the college authorities and police repeatedly tried to pacify the crowd and asked the groups to separate and maintain law and order, but the presence of a large number of outsiders had made managing the situation challenging, he claimed. When the crowd did not listen, mild force had to be used to manage the situation, the officer clarified. “A total of 120-125 personnel were deployed, with an assistant commissioner of police in charge. The college administration has also conducted an inquiry and nothing serious was found,” he added.According to fest organisers, entry to the fest was restricted to DU students with valid ID cards and QR codes issued after prior registration. Around 8,000 registrations were approved — 3,000 from the host college and 5,000 from other colleges.However, on Day 2, over 50,000 students turned up outside the venue, many allegedly without valid ID cards or registration, they claimed. Entry for the 7pm event was closed at 2pm as the crowds swelled, but the gates had to be reopened after groups began agitating, they said.Principal Hem Chand Jain told TOI that police had taken action to maintain law and order after some students without valid QR codes created a ruckus and attempted forced entry. “Their intervention helped prevent serious harm, especially to women,” he pointed out. Around 150 police personnel and bouncers were stationed and no major accident occurred, he added.Sanket Pathak, an alumni organiser, told TOI, “The entry was being managed by student volunteers, staff and bouncers; but when the situation escalated, police personnel had to step in. No major injury was reported.”Organisers claimed that as many students as feasible were accommodated, including even some without ID cards or registration. The college team said those who felt unwell or sustained minor injuries were provided with medical assistance. “We had held several meetings with police and obtained all necessary NOCs to conduct the fest in accordance with DU guidelines,” Pathak said. ABVP alleged poor crowd management and criticised the use of force on students. It protested outside Dwarka police station, seeking action against the police personnel involved, and called for stronger safety measures at upcoming DU festivals.
