“MGI Again”: 1500 students out on Thursday night, DSA says, “Massive numbers, have never happened before”

In the early hours of Thursday, 23rd January 2026, Dr. Dheeraj Sanghi, Dean of Student Affairs (DSA) sent out an email to the student body addressing the unprecedented number of Main Gate Infractions the previous night. The email summarized the night's events, highlighting that 1500 students had left campus on Thursday night and that more than 750 had not returned post midnight. Thursday, 22nd January, was the first Thursday night since the implementation of the new main gate hour bank policy.

A high number of inebriated students had left the infirmary overloaded, among whom 15 were found with Blood Alcohol Levels above 100. Sanghi in his mail commented on the unprecedented number of students outside campus after curfew hours saying  “These massive numbers have never happened before, not even close”. The mail concluded  with a comment on the unsafe environment potentially being the result of the recent Main Gate Infraction Penalty changes. 

The events on Thursday left many students in doubt regarding infirmary procedure and the potential consequences of their interactions with the wardens. An anonymous undergraduate student spoke to The Edict about receiving an infraction notice despite on time entry. According to the student, several students had received notifications of their 10 hour Hour Bank balance being completely elapsed despite entering campus before 12 AM. They described the situation as scary and concerning. This notification was announced as an IT error, after the Residence Life Office passed on the students' concern to Systems Support and IT staff. Such errors are awaiting further discussion with the administration, as confirmed by Vice President of the Student Government, Ahana Walanju (UG ’25) in a statement to The Edict.

 The Main Gate Infraction policy was announced, in part, to deal with logistical challenges with entry during curfew hours and the harsh nature of the previous policy. These events had put doubt on the potential efficacy of the new policy and led to questions regarding future decisions.

Following the events of 22nd January, the Ashoka University Student Government (AUSG) called an emergency meeting on 27th January to address the student body and clarify concerns surrounding the new Main Gate Policy. Stating that “these are unprecedented circumstances that call for serious, collective engagement”, the Student Government emphasized the necessity of active student participation, especially from the junior batches.

Walanju kickstarted the meeting by narrating testimonies from students, wardens and infirmary staff that helped paint a picture of the tumultuous Thursday night. The narrated events put emphasis on the lack of cooperation between intoxicated students and members of the administration as a major factor for delays and obstructions in treatment. It highlighted the overwhelmed status of the infirmary, with the men’s ward being converted to a women’s ward temporarily. 

The lack of cooperation also led to delays in transporting students as the two ambulances at the university were constantly running busy. While recalling student misconduct and uncooperative behavior that risked student safety, Walanju elaborated on the unacceptable disrespect that such misbehavior forces the medical staff, wardens and security to endure. She urged the student body to rethink “how we conduct ourselves and how we conduct student politics at Ashoka”.

Reiterating facts about the road that was blocked by the student crowd and the noise that could’ve inconvenienced local residents that night, Walanju stressed the need to recognize that, “Ashoka does not exist in isolation and we share roads, spaces and responsibility with the community around us and when our actions disrupt that relationship, we lose both goodwill and legitimacy”

Tripura Chamy (UG ‘25), Chairperson of the Working Group, said that the MGI policy gives students the ability to budget their time and make flexible choices. She highlighted the importance of developing an “ethic of attention” and expressing a sense of responsibility towards stakeholders at Ashoka, from the Infirmary staff to the housekeeping staff. The medical staff, the security team and the housekeeping staff often bear the brunt of such a crisis and it is imperative to take into account the impact of students' actions on them. 

Noting the Working Group’s efforts throughout last semester, President of the Student Government, Insha Husain (UG ‘25) recounted the negotiations and discussions that went into building the MGI policy. While maintaining the position that students on campus must have the autonomy to make their own decisions without institutional patronization, Husain pointed out the importance of recognizing students shortcomings and the need to act with accountability and responsibility. This caution was especially communicated to the first and second year students as most infirmary cases were reported from the junior batches. 

Despite concerns regarding student conduct, Husain commented on the success of the Hour Bank system as only 250 of the total 1500 students were found outside campus premises after 12:30 A.M. She also confirmed that the MGI policy will not be rescinded and that the DSA was understanding of the situation.

Towards the end of the meeting, Walanju mentioned the external pressure that the DSA is willing to withstand and the potential threat that incidents such as this can pose to the kind of institution that Ashoka aims to be. Urging students to reflect on the question, “What does it mean to claim ownership and entitlement over this place?” Walanju spoke on the necessity of stepping up when we’re asked to exercise restraint, as much as when we demand for our rights. 

In a statement to The Edict, Secretary of the Working Group, Karandeep Gill (UG ’25) affirmed the messaging from the emergency meeting, stressing on the need for self regulation amongst the student body, but defending the implementation and usage of the Hour Bank system. Gill further commented on the existing cooperation between student policymakers and the DSA, saying, “The DSA has shown able leadership in putting his faith in the students and withstanding pressure. We called the public meeting to call for the students to take some of that onus.”

Edited by Somansh Sarangi and Fatema Tambawalla.