Amid the chaos and confusion that plague the University of Delhi’s admission season every year, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s student wing (Association of Students for Alternative Politics) ASAP has stepped in with a bold intervention. To ensure that students—especially those arriving from outside Delhi—no longer suffer due to lack of information or support, ASAP has set up a dedicated admission help desk outside DU’s Arts Faculty. In a move that directly challenges the systemic neglect students often face, the organisation has also launched zone-wise helpline numbers to address admission-related queries swiftly and efficiently, sparing students the anxiety of running from pillar to post.
At a press conference held at AAP headquarters on Thursday, Eeshna Gupta and Deepak Bansal, members of the Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP), shared key updates on the organisation’s initiatives and its expanding role in student welfare and activism. Eeshna Gupta said that AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has given a new vision to the country’s students by launching ASAP. “ASAP’s dedicated members stand with students round the clock. Every single day of a student’s life is valuable, and with this understanding, ASAP has already organised several social and cultural activities,” she stated.
She added that ASAP units have consistently raised their voices against injustices faced by students and challenged oppressive actions by college administrations—successfully pushing for change.
Referring to a recent incident at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Eeshna said, “In this difficult time, ASAP stood by the students and also provided financial assistance. When our student members visited the campus, they saw students protesting outside the college gates under intense heat and rain. We immediately ensured they faced no hardship in food and water. This is just the beginning.”
Continuing this spirit of service, Eeshna announced ASAP’s new initiative—an Admissions Help Desk set up outside the Arts Faculty of Delhi University. “This desk will assist students with undergraduate and postgraduate admissions,” she said. She stressed that when a student completes Class 12, they carry big dreams, but many come from economically weaker backgrounds and miss out due to lack of information. ASAP is committed to helping such students and building a strong support system for all.
“For those who cannot reach the Help Desk due to geographical constraints, we have launched zone-wise helpline numbers through our social media platforms,” Eeshna added. “Through these helplines, students can get immediate assistance, ask questions, and clarify doubts related to UG and PG admissions. The purpose of this initiative is to empower every student to feel confident and self-reliant. ASAP stands with every student, 24/7, because we believe that when students begin their journey right, they become changemakers in society.”
Deepak Bansal, another core ASAP member, reinforced the organisation’s commitment to resolving students’ issues. “ASAP is working 24 hours a day to raise student issues across Delhi University. Our volunteers are actively engaged on the ground,” he said.
Deepak Bansal criticised the current student politics landscape, saying, “In national politics, BJP and Congress have become two sides of the same coin. Similarly, in student politics, ABVP and NSUI are indistinguishable.” Referring to a recent incident in DU, he said: “The ABVP presidential candidate locked the DUSU office, and shortly after, the NSUI president—also the DUSU president—arrived with a hammer to break it open. This was a scripted performance, showcasing how DU politics has been reduced to mere ‘reel politics’.”
He added, “Students gave ABVP and NSUI two seats each in DUSU, hoping they would fight for their basic needs. But they failed to do so. The fire incident at Zakir Hussain College is proof—there was no emergency gate, no fire alarm, no safety equipment. It’s a matter of shame for DU’s administration.”
Highlighting infrastructural inadequacies, Deepak Bansal said, “DU is considered one of the world’s top universities. Students from across India and abroad come here. Yet, we lack basic amenities—clean water, proper infrastructure, and hygienic mess food. Colleges like Aditi Mahavidyalaya and Bhagini Nivedita College are in pathetic condition. Fans don’t work, hostel fees are rising, and yet infrastructure remains poor. In DU hostels, food is unhygienic, and canteen operators ignore guidelines.”
He demanded an end to this “reel politics” and said students are now viewing ASAP as the true face of alternative politics. “ABVP and NSUI are busy making reels, while we are working to solve real problems,” he remarked.
Deepak Bansal listed key demands to the DU administration:
- Install cold water coolers in all colleges
- Improve infrastructure and ensure fire safety measures, including fire exits
- Stop unjustified hikes in DU and hostel fees
Deepak Bansal asserted that education in government universities must be free, in line with Arvind Kejriwal’s model in Delhi’s schools, where infrastructure, clean water, swimming pools, and sports complexes have been made accessible to all students.
Concluding the press conference, ASAP announced that if the DU administration fails to act on their demands, they will soon submit a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor and launch a protest.
