‘Obvious DU admin shielding culprits as per instructions from above’: DU staff associations demand action over assault on professor

“Neither the college administration has lodged an FIR, nor the University administration has taken any palpable action against the culprits till now. Instead, the perpetrators of the crime have been allowed to malign the victim on social media and other platforms to distract attention from the main issue of physically assaulting a teacher on duty,” said Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor of English at Kirori Mal College and former member of the DUTA Executive and Academic Council.

“It is obvious that the University administration is shielding culprits as per instructions from above. The silence and complicity of the administration with such elements have made the University an unsafe space for the teaching-learning process,” he added.

‘Ensure justice’

In a series of resolutions passed by staff associations, including those from Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, teachers across DU have demanded immediate disciplinary action and the expulsion of the DUSU office-bearer.

A press release by the Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College Staff Association (BRACSA) stated that a dharna was held on October 27, joined by members of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), academic council members, and teachers from various colleges.

“All teachers and members have unanimously condemned the act of physical assault on the teacher and other teachers, demanded strict and immediate action against the culprits, including expulsion of Miss Deepika Jha… and demanded to ensure justice to the affected person,” read the statement signed by Prof Md Riyazuddin Khan, Secretary of BRACSA.

Minutes from the college’s emergent General Body Meeting held on October 22 described the attack as a “direct assault on the dignity, safety, and honour of the entire teaching community.” The resolutions passed unanimously included a demand for Jha’s expulsion and a ban on DUSU activists and other political student groups from the college premises.

The House further called for a college-level enquiry into the alleged role of another faculty member in “instigating violence,” and for Prof Sujit Kumar to be given access to CCTV footage and FIR documents to present his case.

‘Silence of DUTA’

The Staff Association also announced a complete teaching strike on October 27–28 to protest the “grave injustice and attack on teachers’ dignity.”

Teachers have also demanded that the six-member fact-finding committee constituted by Delhi University immediately submit its findings and recommendations. Multiple college associations and elected members of DUTA have accused the university administration of delaying the process and failing to protect faculty members from intimidation.

“The silence of the DUTA leadership is evident in its refusal to call a General Body Meeting on this matter despite requisitions submitted by several elected members,” said Prof Chakraborty.

When reached for a comment, Sada Nand Prasad, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and acting Principal of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, said, “The college has nothing to do with it. Please reach out to the staff association”. Prasad declined to comment further.

Speaking to The Indian Express, DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh said, “We have formed an inquiry committee and are working on it. A decision will be taken shortly.”