Visuals circulating online showed colourful tents and elaborate pink-and-white canopies set up across the premises, with preparations underway for the private event.
Students alleged that college infrastructure meant for academic and residential use had been repurposed for the ceremony. On the afternoon of Monday, February 9, more than 200 students gathered on the campus around 3 pm, raising slogans and displaying placards against the administration, as per News18.
Student organisations, including SFI and ABVP, accused the principal of misusing institutional facilities for a personal function.
Ground reserved, sports activities halted
Protesting students claimed that the college sports ground had been booked for the event, disrupting scheduled sports activities.
#WATCH | Hansraj College in Delhi is decorated with colourful tents and elaborate arrangements to host the wedding celebrations of Principal Rama Sharma’s son, prompting protests from a section of students who alleged misuse of campus infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/ANROgTS4iG
— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2026
Matches under the annual ‘Khelo Hansraj’ tournament, originally slated from February 4 to 27, were shifted elsewhere after the ground was cordoned off and decorated.
Students expressed frustration over what they described as unequal access to campus facilities.
“We are usually asked to leave the campus by 5 pm, but during the Khelo Hansraj game we are given extra hours to use the ground for practice sessions. The games for now have been cancelled and the ground has been deemed out of bounds for students,” said a 21-year-old BA Hons student, as per News18.
“We weren’t even informed of the reason for cancelling the games. We discovered the preparation was for the principal’s son’s marriage.”
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Some students also raised safety concerns, alleging that construction work and pits created during the setup could pose injury risks during future sports practice.
Hostel access and safety concerns raised
Protesting students further alleged that the boys’ hostel — shut for over a year after being declared unfit for living — was opened to accommodate wedding guests.
Students claimed that although residents were displaced when the hostel closed, no visible repairs had taken place since.
“Since [the hostel was vacated], we have never seen any construction. But today we saw it being decorated,” a second-year student said, as per News18.
Others complained about restricted access within the campus due to the arrangements. “We usually enter the college and hostel through Gate No 5. But because decorations are going on there, students are being told to take alternative routes. Since the main gate is under construction, we are being forced to walk through the teachers’ flats, which is a much longer route,” said a third-year History (Hons) student was quoted as saying by News18.
Student groups demand accountability; DU responds
SFI Hansraj College Secretary Asikul Islam said, “The Principal treats our campus like a private estate while we endure crumbling facilities. Today’s massive turnout shows students will not stand for it.”
ABVP members also staged protests and demanded administrative action, with some participants alleging pressure to disperse.
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Responding to the controversy, Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta said there was “no unnecessary controversy” and clarified that the principal was permitted to host personal events at her official residence.
“The principal resides in the official accommodation and has the right to host celebrations. This is not the first time such an event has taken place, and she is allowed to organise it,” Gupta told news agency ANI.
