DU’s job fair guidelines stir row over ‘routine exclusion’ of Open Learning students Students from the School of Open Learning (SOL) at Delhi University (DU) have raised concerns after guidelines for a recent job fair excluded them from participating in campus placements. The controversy emerged when official instructions for the event specified that only “regular students” were eligible, effectively barring SOL students from attending. Protests erupted as affected students, including members of groups like the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Krantikari Yuva Sangathan, staged demonstrations during the event held on campus on March 20, 2026. The guidelines, shared by DU colleges, stated that SOL students could not apply for jobs, a policy that has sparked accusations of systemic discrimination. Protesters argued that SOL students, who are predominantly from marginalized communities, deserve equal access to employment opportunities. According to university officials, there are approximately 4 lakh SOL students enrolled across the institution. The exclusion, they claim, reflects a long-standing pattern of marginalization that undermines the university’s commitment to inclusivity. The job fair, which was organized to connect students with potential employers, became a flashpoint for debates about equity in higher education. Critics pointed out that the guidelines contradicted the university’s stated goals of fostering diversity and providing equal opportunities for all students. The protest highlighted the growing frustration among SOL students, who feel their academic credentials and contributions are undervalued in institutional policies.#delhi_university #school_of_open_learning #akhil_bharatiya_vidyarthi_parishad #krantikari_yuva_sangathan #job_fair_2026
