Nearly three months after Delhi University (DU) set up a panel to resolve policy disputes with St. Stephen’s College, no meetings have occurred, delaying efforts to address the college’s alleged non-compliance with university rules, a committee member confirmed on Tuesday.
In August, St. Stephen’s rejected 12 “single girl child” applications for undergraduate admissions, citing capacity limits. DU had earlier instructed colleges to admit students beyond seat limits to ensure optimal enrollment.
The rejection led the affected students’ parents to approach the Supreme Court. Following a lengthy delay, the court ordered the college to admit the students, allowing them to join classes.
To address the issue, DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh formed a three-member panel in October to initiate discussions with St. Stephen’s Principal John Varghese. However, no meetings have taken place as DU has not issued an official directive, according to committee members.
“The university has not formally directed us to convene, so no progress has been made. Without an official order, it’s challenging to begin discussions,” a committee member stated. Another added, “With elections approaching, it’s unlikely any meeting will happen soon.”
St. Stephen’s Principal John Varghese said the college remains uninformed about the panel. “We haven’t received any official communication about a meeting or the committee’s formation. We only learned about it through media reports,” he said.
The stalemate persists as DU plans to reserve one seat per postgraduate program for single girl children in the 2025-26 academic session, pending approval by the university’s Executive Council. When asked if St. Stephen’s would implement this reservation if approved, Principal Varghese declined to comment.
St. Stephen’s College operates under its “Supreme Council,” chaired by the Bishop of the Diocese of Delhi and composed of Church of North India members. The council oversees decisions concerning the college’s religious character.
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