Delhi University Professor Assaulted by DUSU Joint Secretary During Campus Disciplinary Investigation

A professor at Delhi University's Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College was slapped and assaulted during a heated confrontation involving Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) joint secretary Deepika Jha and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Thursday.

A video of the incident that emerged online shows the teacher being attacked while police officers were present at the scene.

The assault has prompted widespread disapproval from the university's teaching community.

A Delhi University professor, who requested anonymity, explained, "During the recent student council elections, a National Students' Union of India (NSUI) candidate won the presidency, while ABVP secured two positions. The NSUI winner reportedly was beaten by ABVP supporters and had filed a complaint about the attack."

Professor Sujit Kumar, the assaulted faculty member, serves as the convenor of the college's disciplinary committee. According to the Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF), the committee was investigating recent campus violence allegedly involving ABVP members attacking other students.

The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) has addressed the Vice-Chancellor demanding immediate and decisive action.

In their letter, DUTA expressed, "We are appalled to learn that a senior faculty member at BR Ambedkar College was slapped and attacked by a group of students inside the college while performing his official duties. Such acts of violence have no place in an academic institution and are a direct affront to the dignity of the teaching community. This incident fosters an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among teachers and students alike."

The association urged university administrators to conduct a thorough investigation and implement exemplary disciplinary measures. "We call for immediate and firm action against the perpetrators to send out a clear message that indiscipline and lawlessness will not be tolerated," the letter continued.

Jha stated she visited the campus after students requested her assistance regarding alleged misconduct and physical assault by Professor Kumar, which they claimed was motivated by political bias.

"In the Principal's office, even with police personnel present, Professor Kumar hurled abuses and threatened me," Jha told NDTV. "I repeatedly asked officers to intervene, but they remained passive. His aggressive behavior, continuous staring, and inappropriate remarks suggested he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol," she alleged.

Jha acknowledged she reacted in distress and anger. "I accept that I acted impulsively and regret my response. I sincerely apologize to the teaching fraternity; I never intended to disrespect teachers. But as a student representative, Professor Kumar's repeated abusive behavior and intimidating conduct made me feel unsafe," she said.

The student leader emphasized her primary concern was women's safety on campus. "My only appeal to the college administration is to ensure that no staff member or individual under the influence of alcohol or motivated by political bias is allowed on college premises again," she added.

NSUI national president Varun Choudhary condemned the alleged assault, stating, "This attack on a professor in front of police is an assault on the dignity of the academic community. We demand the immediate arrest of those involved and strict action to restore discipline on campus."

Rudrashish Chakraborty, associate professor at Kirori Mal College, criticized the incident, saying, "The events at Bhim Rao Ambedkar College are disturbing but not entirely unexpected. They reflect a continuing pattern of unruly behavior by ABVP members, not just in DU but across India. Such acts are enabled by the leniency and support extended by the university administration, which has effectively allowed ABVP to operate with impunity."