New Delhi: Freshers joining Delhi University for the new academic session have expressed mixed views on the recent student protests in the national capital, with some describing them as a powerful democratic movement and others voicing concern over the disruptions caused.

Aman Kumar, an 18-year-old first-year student of Ramjas College from Jaipur, said he had closely followed the protests through news reports and social media and had wanted to participate but could not travel to Delhi as his admission process was underway.

"I really wanted to take part, but my parents would not allow me and my admissions were going on," he said.

A first-year student of Miranda House, who requested anonymity, said her cousin had participated in the protests and while the family appreciated the significance of the movement, they were worried about her safety.

She said they struggled to contact her because mobile network connectivity around the protest site had remained disrupted for much of the time.

For several freshers, who mainly followed the developments through social media, the protests also served as their first exposure to student politics and collective action.

Ishika Chakraborty, a first-year student from a small town in West Bengal, said the scale of the agitation had given her a fresh perspective on the influence of student movements.

"I come from a small town in West Bengal, and the idea that students can come together and create a difference was new to me," she said, adding that she was eager to witness the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections.

However, some students questioned whether prolonged protests and the resulting public inconvenience were the most effective way to press their demands.

Rajeev Verma, a first-year student of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) from Uttar Pradesh, said his parents felt there could have been better ways to engage with the government.

He said the agitation had inconvenienced many people, including commuters affected by the closure of Metro stations and disruptions to mobile network services.

A first-year student of Hansraj College also said that while he understood the students' concerns, he was not entirely supportive of the manner in which the protests unfolded, noting that his father was among those affected by the disruptions.

The differing opinions have emerged as thousands of freshers begin their academic journey at Delhi University amid continuing discussions over the recent student-led agitation.