Hansraj College sets up cow centre; DU registrar says not aware of initiative, students oppose

NEW DELHI: Delhi University’s Hansraj College has set up a cow centre, namely Swami Dayanand Cow-Protection and Research Centre, for research on cow products. The addition of the new centre at Hansraj College has sparked a new controversy. DU registrar Vikas Gupta, however, said that he was not aware of the cow centre project, according to reports.

Principal Rama Sharma said that the cow centre established at Hansraj College will be expanded “if the research that is done proves to be useful and beneficial”, as per The Indian Express report.

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According to the report, the principal said, “the centre will not just do research on various aspects of the cow, it will also provide pure milk and ghee for the students, and for the monthly ‘havan’ (prayer ritual) conducted on the campus.”

Though the centre has started with one cow, the principal said the college is working on a gobar gas plant, which can be supported by the centre. Delhi University: Cow centre established at DU's Hansraj College

According to a statement by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), “SFI Hansraj unconditionally condemn and protest the construction of a GauShala, dubbed as a “Swami Dayanand Cow-Protection and Research Centre” at the very site which was reserved for a women’s hostel whose construction has been on hold for many years now.”

“While the campus has been shut, the college has finished the construction of a full-fledged GauShala without any warning or discussion with the student community. The need for one is something none of us are able to even begin to fathom, students alleged.

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“Most of us are well aware that the symbol of a cow is used to embody and encourage the principles of Hindutva, we can see that in our society with the rise of violence under the garb of Cow Vigilantes as well as in our education sector with the introduction of a national cow exam by the UGC not too long ago,” it said

Taking a dig at the college administration, the students’ group said, “This shows the true lack of concern the administration has for its students. We find it disgusting that our college administration prioritises the “protection and promotion” of cows instead of struggling female students whose interests are being side-lined for such an absurd decision.”

The students even warned to take out a “vigorous campaign” against this decision and demand that the GauShala is broken down and the construction of the long-awaited women's hostel is started.

Hansraj College principal Rama Sharma refuted the allegations and said that one cow in a shed doesn’t mean that the college has set up a gaushala, as per the report.