To make Holi celebrations safe, the administration at Delhi University recently released a “Holi Guidelines” chart for students. The chart includes the dos and don’ts like no balloons, eve-teasing, colours or hooliganism allowed in the college, no entry from outside allowed in the college hostels etc. The chart even informs students of surprise checks in the college and hostel campus, besides strict police patrolling. The chart issued by the Proctor’s Office, University of Delhi also states that any harassment in the name of Holi will attract disciplinary action.
While the varsity is all geared up to tighten students’ security, the students don’t seem too pleased with the idea. Says Raghav Soni, a student of Hansraj College, “With no balloons or colours allowed inside the college premises, this time Holi is going to be very dull. We may break the rules to have fun but if we are caught, it will only lead to trouble.”
Abhishek Raj of Hindu College says that police patrolling and other security measures will leave them with no chance to celebrate the festival with gay abandon. “There’s no point celebrating with a fear of getting caught,” he says.
However, for some girls, it makes no difference, as they prefer avoiding colours and Holi celebrations. “The colours are so toxic. Even if the University had not come out with the guideline chart, I would have dodged the celebrations, and stayed locked in my room,” says Nidhi Jain, a Miranda House student.