New Delhi, Sept. 18 -- On Thursday, Delhi High Court pulled up the student bodies, Delhi University and the police for the recurring incidents of violence and vandalism during student elections, saying enough is enough. This, however, is not the first time that DUSU elections are marred by hooliganism, defacement, violence, and court intervention.

The first Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) election was held in 1954 but the first major controversy erupted in 1972-73 when students took to the streets and demanded a direct say in choosing their leaders. And in 1990-91, national political upheaval was powerful enough to derail the election itself.

By 2009, campaign expenditure and electoral rules becamecentral to disputes, while from ...