Rewriting V-Day: A ‘Big Win’ for Progressive Students of Hindu College

New Delhi: Progressive students of Hindu College in Delhi University established a new practice to celebrate inclusivity instead of the patriarchal and ritualistic V-tree Puja that takes place every year in the college on February 14.

Since the past few years, Hindu College has been seeing the ‘Virgin Tree Puja’ on February 14, Valentine’s Day. On this day, hundreds of men from the boy's hostel gather around the ‘V- tree’ and conduct an ‘aarti’ that is supposed to ensure that they lose their virginity within the next six months. Often, prior to the puja, Bollywood actresses are ranked on the basis of their ‘sex appeal’ and one of them is chosen as the ‘Damdami Mata’. Pictures of the actress are displayed on the ‘V-tree’. Along with this, condoms filled with water, as well as other decorations, are put up on the tree, alleged some students.

This year, the Student’s Federation of India (SFI) in Hindu College, along with other progressive groups, decided to oppose this practice that finds its roots in misogyny and the objectification of women. Speaking to NewsClick, an SFI activist said “We, as a progressive organisation, have always opposed such patriarchal practices that make the campus unsafe for women. On February 10, we mobilised students through an awareness session and asked them to resist the attempts of the ABVP and other right-wing groups from holding the V-tree pooja.” 

He added that SFI activists also attempted to submit a memorandum containing the signatures of 110 students to the administration in opposition to the V-Tree Puja. However, the administration did not accept the memorandum and was unwilling to engage in conversation with them.

While this activity has faced opposition in the past from student groups such as the SFI and Pinjra Tod, they haven’t been successful in completely preventing the puja from taking place. However, this year marks a historic win for progressive students who were able to put an end to this. SFI Delhi’s newsletter stated, “On February 14th, SFI Hindu college stayed vigilant and kept informing the administration whenever any student groups tried to conduct the Puja.”

Speaking with students, NewsClick found that what transpired was a direct confrontation between progressive students who opposed the puja and other students who wished for it to be conducted. Both sides engaged in sloganeering, while roughly 150 students who were mobilised by progressive groups gathered near the amphitheatre in a show of solidarity. These students had brought paintings of Gauri Lankesh and Savitribai Phule that they wanted to paint as well as posters with inclusive messaging.

Speaking with NewsClick, Rusham, a second-year student said: “As we were painting and remembering these resilient figures, ABVP and Right-wing students tried to provoke us through various means and silence our voices. However, we persevered and were able to carry out our show of inclusivity successfully.” The day ended on a high note as students sang a revolutionary song and exited the campus holding up their posters and paintings.

Through such means, students were able to put an end to this misogynistic practice and make the campus a safe and inclusive space, said the students. A student told NewsClick: “This will be the new practice of Hindu College: every year, hundreds of students will gather and remember the people who changed history.”