In a startling incident at Delhi University’s Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, Professor Sujit Kumar was allegedly slapped by Deepika Jha, the joint secretary of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) and a member of the ABVP. The altercation took place during a disciplinary committee meeting on Thursday, reportedly in the presence of police personnel. Professor Kumar, who was convener of the committee, is at the center of this controversy.
The incident has ignited widespread outrage among student organizations and faculty members, prompting the formation of a six-member inquiry committee. This committee is tasked with thoroughly investigating the incident and is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.
Key details of the incident:
- Deepika Jha, DUSU’s joint secretary and an ABVP member, allegedly slapped Professor Sujit Kumar during a disciplinary committee meeting. A video of the alleged incident has circulated widely on social media, showing Jha appearing to strike the professor. She was subsequently moved away by a police officer.
- Professor Kumar recounted that the incident occurred after he allegedly verbally abused her, stared at her, and smirked. He admitted that his actions were inappropriate, stating, “When he verbally abused me, I slapped him which I should not have done.”
- While the exact trigger remains unclear, the incident occurred during a disciplinary committee meeting concerning a prior act of violence involving ABVP members, who allegedly assaulted other students, according to the Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF).
- Professor Kumar disputed Jha’s account, claiming that ABVP members had disrupted the meeting uninvited. He further explained that a month prior, an NSUI member, who is the student council president, was assaulted by ABVP members. He had suspended three ABVP-affiliated students following the incident. Kumar also stated that he was forced to resign from his convener post by ABVP members due to threats of physical harm.
- An inquiry committee, comprising six members and chaired by Professor Neeta Sehgal of the Department of Zoology, has been established by Delhi University to investigate the matter as directed by Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh.
- Various student and teacher organizations have strongly condemned the incident and are demanding strict action.