Delhi University teachers demand strict action after professor allegedly assaulted by PhD scholar

New Delhi: Teachers at the University of Delhi on Tuesday condemned the alleged assault of a professor by a PhD scholar and demanded strict action, even as the university's three-member enquiry committee is yet to begin proceedings into the incident.

The Delhi Teachers' Federation (DTF) condemned the incident, saying the suspension of the research scholar was not enough and demanded "strict and swift" action against him. "...(this) assault is not an isolated case. The safety and dignity of teachers on campus is being repeatedly compromised," the DTF said in a statement.

The three-member independent enquiry committee constituted by the university to investigate the incident is yet to commence its proceedings. Rajeev Gupta, who is heading the committee as per the notification from the Proctor's office, told PTI, "We have received the notification regarding the committee but the due procedure has not started as of yet. The matter will be investigated in due time and the report will be released."

Teacher demand strict action

The committee comprises Gupta from the Department of Chemistry, Vipul Singh from the Department of History and Sudha Singh from the Department of Hindi.

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A senior police officer said that an FIR had been lodged in the matter on Monday. The university had on Monday suspended the PhD scholar and barred his entry into its premises with immediate effect after he allegedly assaulted a professor at Umang Bhawan.

According to university officials, the incident took place around 10.30 am on Monday and was captured on CCTV. DU Proctor Manoj Kumar Singh had told PTI that the student could be seen slapping the professor in the CCTV footage and that a committee had been constituted to look into the matter.

PhD scholar suspended by university

The student, who was admitted to the Faculty of Law in the 2024-25 academic session (Phase-II), was suspended under an order issued by the Office of the Proctor. His entry into the university premises was also barred under Ordinance XV-B of the Delhi University Act, 1922.

A university official said, "The professor who was assaulted is the person-in-charge of Law Centre II and as per information received, the student had been waiting for an extended time but did not get a guide, following which the incident took place."

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Law faculty calls meeting over incident

Teachers of Delhi University's Faculty of Law also called a meeting on Tuesday, urging teachers to unite against incidents of violence and intimidation on campus. "It is not an attack upon the individual but upon the teaching community," the teachers said in a message circulated among faculty members.

The DTF alleged that the latest incident was part of a wider pattern and referred to a recent incident in which several Faculty of Law professors were allegedly verbally abused by a student.

DTF flags wider campus concerns

It also cited a 2025 incident in which then DUSU Joint Secretary Deepika Jha was accused of slapping a professor at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College. DTF president Rajib Ray and secretary Abha Dev Habib alleged that the administration's response to such incidents had been slow and insufficient, and demanded clear and enforceable measures to ensure the safety of teachers.

Faculty of Law Assistant Professor Anumeha Mishra, a member of the Academic Council, said the incident should be condemned "in the strongest terms" and alleged that the administration had failed to act decisively in cases involving violence or threats against teachers.

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NSUI seeks impartial action

Executive Council member Mithuraaj Dhusiya also alleged that cases of violence against teachers had increased in the last few years, highlighting a broader pattern. The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) too condemned the alleged assault and demanded strict and impartial action against the student, irrespective of his organisational or political affiliation. NSUI national media in-charge Ravi Pandey said the university should promote "education, debate and democratic disagreement" rather than violence and intimidation.