‘Matkaman’ leads charge: Delhi University students protest over lack of clean drinking water

In a powerful show of student activism, Delhi University (DU) students staged a protest at the iconic Arts Faculty on Monday, demanding immediate action to ensure clean drinking water across DU campuses. 

The protest was spearheaded by Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) President Ronak Khatri—famously dubbed ‘Matkaman’ for his persistent fight for basic amenities like potable water.

Addressing the crowd and speaking exclusively to India Today NE, Khatri slammed the DU administration for neglecting students’ fundamental rights. “The intention behind this protest is to end the longstanding issue of drinking water scarcity in DU. When I visited Deshbandhu College today, I found students struggling for a sip of clean water, while the Principal enjoyed a private 20-litre water can,” Khatri alleged.

He further claimed that the Principal avoided meeting the protesters. “One who actually does wrong, fears,” he added.

The protest, held at a venue historically symbolic of student movements, aimed to draw urgent attention to deteriorating infrastructure across DU-affiliated colleges. Students raised slogans and carried empty matkas (earthen pots), a nod to Khatri’s grassroots-style campaign that has gained him both popularity and criticism.

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Despite growing support, the protest did spark mixed reactions among the student body. A student from Hansraj College, originally from Assam, dismissed the protest as a “gimmick,” though he admitted the core issue was real. “Poor sanitation, broken water filters, and lack of maintenance plague the campus—but neither the administration nor the unions have effectively addressed it,” he remarked.

Khatri, however, remained unfazed. “This is not a gimmick. It’s not reel—it’s real. Students who oppose us are often linked with rival political groups. But if you talk to an average student, they’ll tell you the truth. We are here to stand with them.”

The protest has once again reignited debate over student welfare in India’s top universities and highlighted a growing disconnect between student needs and institutional response.

As the heatwave in Delhi intensifies, the demand for clean drinking water becomes not just a matter of convenience—but survival.