DUSU Office-Bearer Suspended Following Altercation with Professor
In a significant disciplinary action, Delhi University has suspended Deepika Jha, the Joint Secretary of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) and an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leader, for a period of two months. This decision comes a month after she allegedly slapped Professor Sujit Kumar, a faculty member and the convener of the disciplinary committee at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College.
Details of the October 16 Incident
The altercation that led to this suspension occurred on October 16 inside the Principal's office at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College. The incident took place during a meeting, and a purported video, along with CCTV footage cited by teacher groups, allegedly shows Jha assaulting the professor. According to the Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF), around 50 students, including DUSU President Aryan Maan, accompanied Jha to the college where they reportedly mistreated teachers and demanded the convener's resignation.
Following the alleged assault, Professor Kumar resigned from his position on the disciplinary committee. Other faculty members demanded a thorough, university-level inquiry into the matter, condemning what they described as "mobocracy and hooliganism." The DTF warned that such incidents, if left unchecked, could push the university environment towards violence.
University Action and Aftermath
A senior university official confirmed that a panel was formed to investigate the incident. This panel had initially recommended a three-month suspension for the student leader. However, the administration decided on a two-month suspension, after which Jha's behaviour will be reviewed. "The administration decided that after two months of suspension, there would be a review of her behaviour," the official stated. "In this period, she cannot enter campuses in her capacity as a DUSU office-bearer. She can only attend her classes." The official added that the decision would be formally communicated to Jha.
In response to the incident, Jha issued a statement apologizing "to the entire teaching community," but also accused Professor Kumar of misbehaving with her—a claim he has denied. She alleged that she was called to the college by students who complained of politically motivated abuse by the professor and that he threatened and abused her in the Principal's office, even in the presence of police officers. The Delhi Police has confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in the matter. The college had also constituted its own inquiry committee to look into the incident.
