Outrage Erupts After Attack on Dr. Sujit Kumar
By NSB.News
NEW DELHI: More than a two week after a Delhi University (DU) faculty member was allegedly assaulted by a Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) office-bearer, outrage continues to mount across the varsity.
Several college staff associations have condemned what they described as a “grave breach of academic decorum and moral authority,” demanding strict action against the accused and accountability from the universityadministration.
The incident took place on October 16 at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College (BRAC), where Deepika Jha, Joint Secretary of DUSU and affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), allegedly slapped professor Sujit Kumar, a senior faculty member and convener of the college’s disciplinary committee.
According to minutes from the college’s emergent General Body Meeting held on October 22, the attack was described as a “direct assault on the dignity, safety and honour of the entire teaching community.” The resolutions passed unanimously demanded Jha’s expulsion and a ban on political student groups, including DUSU activists, from the college premises.
The House also sought a college-level inquiry into the alleged role of another faculty member accused of “instigating violence” and called for prof Kumar to be given access to CCTV footage and FIR
documents. The Staff Association observed a complete teaching strike on October 27–28, protesting what it termed a “grave injustice and attack on teachers’ dignity.”
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with around 35 college teachers’ associations uniting to denounce the misconduct and demand accountability.
Teachers’ Associations and DUTA Join Protests
Faculty members of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar College have been staging sit-ins and demonstrations for several days in protest of the assault.
Leaders of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) — including President Prof. V. S. Negi and Secretary Prof. Bimlendu Tirthankar — joined the ongoing protests and demanded the immediate expulsion of Deepika Jha from the students’ union.
University Leaders Demand Strict Action
Addressing the protesting teachers, prominent academic figures such as Prof. Rajiv Ray (former DUTA President), Prof. Sunil Sharma (Member, DU Executive Council), Prof. T. N. Ojha (Member, DU Academic Council), Prof. Sanjay Kumar (DUTA Joint Secretary), Prof. Rajesh Jha, Prof. Abha Dev Habib, Prof. Ashwani Shankar, Prof. V. S. Dixit, and Prof. Rudrashish reiterated the demand for firm disciplinary and legal action against the accused.
The speakers stressed the importance of ensuring a safe and respectful environment for teaching and learning across Delhi University. They also warned that the movement would intensify if the administration failed to act promptly.
University Administration Yet to Take Concrete Action
Meanwhile, a DUTA delegation has met Prof. Balram Pani, Dean of Colleges, twice to press for immediate action. The teachers also held a flash protest demanding accountability.
However, the university administration has so far not taken any substantive measures, only forming inquiry committees — a move teachers allege is aimed at evading responsibility rather than resolving the issue.