DU issues order suspending DUSU member for 2 months for slapping professor; faculty groups denounce order: ‘travesty of justice’

The decision stems from an altercation on October 16 at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, where Jha allegedly slapped Professor Sujit Kumar, a faculty member and convener of the college’s disciplinary committee, during a meeting inside the Principal’s office.

The order, issued by the Office of the Proctor on November 14, said the conduct attributed to Jha was “unacceptable and unbecoming on the part of a student and an office bearer of DUSU”.

Further, it added that the incident amounted to “a serious breach of discipline and decorum expected within the University community” and “an act of gross indiscipline” under University Ordinance.

The committee constituted to examine the matter recommended suspension from her post “for a period of two months with immediate effect.”

During the suspension period, the order states, Jha “shall not be permitted to enter the premises of any college affiliated with the University of Delhi” in her capacity as a student leader. The order also mandates that Jha write an apology to Kumar, and provide an undertaking of good conduct. Her suspension may be revoked after a review by the committee, the order states.

Following the incident, Kumar had resigned from the committee, while other members had demanded a university-level inquiry. Faculty groups, however, have denounced the university’s action as inadequate and politically influenced.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Kumar said, “This is a suspension from DUSU only. If a normal student were to do the same crime, there will be no action as per Delhi University (DU) work ethics. The university is moving towards the examination period and then a vacation, after which the two month suspension would conveniently end.”

Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor at Kirori Mal College, criticised the order in a public statement, writing that the decision “has confirmed the apprehensions held by most teachers: that the DU administration will ensure a safe passage for the culprit.”

The university, he argued, had merely suspended her from her DUSU post “instead of giving her exemplary punishment in proportion to the enormity of her act.”

Calling the action a “travesty of justice,” Chakraborty said it sent a message that “teachers, students and the non-teaching staff of DU have no security for themselves in their workplace against the miscreants…”

He further argued that the order “legitimises the fact that the key stakeholders of the university… must not expect justice for themselves from the current university administration which has become an extension counter of the ruling party.”

Mithuraaj Dhusiya, an elected member of the Executive Council, said the university’s response fell short of what the situation demanded. “The quantum of punishment does not seem to inspire confidence to act as a strong deterrent to prevent such incidents of physical assault against teachers in future,” he said.

A university official, speaking on condition of anonymity said, “The two month time period was taken into consideration based on the inquiry committee’s decision,” the official said. “The suspension of the student from her capacity as DUSU office bearer and her being allowed to attend her classes was taken keeping in mind that her academic career should not suffer in the long run.”

After the incident, Jha had issued a statement apologising “to the entire teaching community,” while accusing Kumar of misbehaving with her — a claim he has denied. A purported video of the incident shows that it occurred in the presence of police officers. The Delhi Police has since filed an FIR in connection with the matter.