New Delhi – Delhi University has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the DUSU professor assault that occurred at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College on Thursday. The incident, involving Delhi University Students’ Union joint secretary Deepika Jha physically attacking faculty member Sujit Kumar, has sent shockwaves through the academic community and sparked widespread condemnation.
Investigation Committee Formed
In response to the DUSU professor assault, Delhi University acted swiftly to establish a six-member inquiry committee. Professor Neeta Sehgal from the Department of Zoology will chair the committee tasked with investigating the physical attack on the faculty member.
“University of Delhi has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the physical assault on a faculty member by Ms Deepika Jha, joint secretary of the DUSU at BR Ambedkar College. The six-member committee will be chaired by professor Neeta Sehgal (Department of Zoology). The committee will investigate the matter and submit its factual report as soon as possible,” according to an official university statement regarding the DUSU professor assault.
University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh has demanded the investigation report within two weeks, indicating the seriousness with which the administration is treating the DUSU professor assault incident.
Viral CCTV Footage Sparks Outrage
The DUSU professor assault gained widespread attention after CCTV footage of the incident circulated extensively on social media platforms. The video clip showing the physical attack evoked immediate and strong backlash from teachers across the university, who expressed shock and dismay at the brazen assault on a faculty member.
The viral nature of the footage in the DUSU professor assault case has amplified public scrutiny and intensified pressure on university authorities to take decisive action against those responsible for the attack.
Details of the Incident
The DUSU professor assault occurred when Deepika Jha, accompanied by other members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), entered the college premises on Thursday. According to faculty accounts, the student union members slapped Professor Sujit Kumar during a confrontation at the institution.
The circumstances surrounding the DUSU professor assault reveal deeper tensions within the college administration. Professor Kumar stated that the altercation happened after Jha and other ABVP members barged into the principal’s office and “forced him to sign a resignation from the post of convener of the college disciplinary committee.”
This context suggests the DUSU professor assault was not a spontaneous incident but potentially linked to ongoing disputes over administrative positions and authority within the college.
Deepika Jha’s Defense and Apology
In the aftermath of the DUSU professor assault, Deepika Jha released a video statement early Friday morning attempting to explain her actions. In her defense, Jha claimed that Professor Kumar “threatened and stared at her in front of police,” despite her expressing discomfort during the encounter.
Jha also alleged in her statement about the DUSU professor assault that Kumar was “inebriated” at the time of the incident, though this claim has not been independently verified. She acknowledged her violent response: “After seeing all this, I felt angry and raised my hand. I regret the incident and I apologise to the teachers’ community. It was not my intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments.”
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While Jha expressed regret regarding the DUSU professor assault, her apology has done little to quell the anger within the teaching community, who view the incident as a serious breach of academic decorum and an attack on faculty dignity.
Teachers’ Association Responds
The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) responded forcefully to the DUSU professor assault by calling for a protest in the north campus on Friday. The flash dharna demonstrated the teaching community’s unified stand against violence and intimidation of faculty members.
Professor Mithuraaj Dhusiya, a DU professor and elected executive council member who participated in the protest, expressed his condemnation of the DUSU professor assault on social media: “In the DUTA Flash Dharna today, I expressed my firm condemnation of yesterday’s slapgate incident in BRAC. Strong decisive actions need to be taken both by VC and DUTA leadership. Till justice is achieved, the university needs to be brought to complete standstill. Total shutdown! Dignity of teachers needs to be restored!”
The teachers’ response to the DUSU professor assault indicates widespread frustration within the faculty community about what they perceive as deteriorating respect for academic authority and growing student aggression.
Student Organizations Condemn Incident
Beyond the faculty response, student organizations have also voiced concerns about the DUSU professor assault. The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) condemned the incident and urged university administration to “ensure that all those responsible are held accountable.”
The SFI’s statement regarding the DUSU professor assault reflects broader student concerns about maintaining proper conduct and respect within academic institutions, even among those who may disagree with the current DUSU leadership.
Implications for Campus Culture
The DUSU professor assault raises serious questions about campus culture, student-faculty relations, and the boundaries of student activism at Delhi University. The incident has sparked debates about whether student union politics has become too aggressive and whether adequate safeguards exist to protect faculty members from intimidation or violence.
Calls for Accountability
Following the DUSU professor assault, there are growing demands for strict action against those involved. Faculty members and concerned students are calling for consequences that will deter future incidents and restore respect for academic authority within the university system.
The two-week deadline for the inquiry committee’s report means that conclusions regarding the DUSU professor assault should be available soon, allowing the university administration to take appropriate disciplinary action.
Broader Context
The DUSU professor assault incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing tensions between various student political groups and college administrations across Delhi University. Issues of administrative control, disciplinary authority, and student representation frequently create friction within the university system.
Moving Forward
As the investigation into the DUSU professor assault proceeds, the university community awaits decisive action that will address not only this specific incident but also establish clear protocols for preventing similar occurrences. The outcome of this case will likely set important precedents for how Delhi University handles conflicts between student leadership and faculty members in the future.
