DU Arts Faculty dean resigns after 'heckling' by students over exam delay

NEW DELHI: Dean of Delhi University's Faculty of Arts, Amitava Chakraborty, resigned on Monday after being allegedly heckled by a group of students led by DUSU president Ronak Khatri over a delay in conducting a general elective exam.

Khatri also accused the dean of "abusing" students and administrative staff and alleged that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident, a charge denied by Chakraborty. The incident unfolded when a group of students had gathered to protest the delay in the exam, which was scheduled to start at 9.30 am on Monday but was postponed due to a "miscommunication".

In a video shared on social media, the students can be seen surrounding the dean in his office while the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) president attempts to snatch his phone as he tries to make a call. The director of DU's South Campus was present at the scene and tried to pacify the students. However, they demanded the dean's resignation.

"I tendered my resignation after the students demanded it due to the delay in holding the exam. I was under immense pressure as the students were not ready to be pacified. "It was a physically threatening environment, and I lost consciousness for a few minutes. I was taken to a hospital, and my medico-legal certificate report confirmed that I was not drunk," Chakraborty said, addressing allegations made by Khatri.

In a post on X, Khatri alleged, "The HoD of the Language Department and the Dean of the Arts Faculty was drunk, and his gross negligence caused students to suffer today. Over 60 students were unable to take the GE Political Science exam. We have also learned that he abuses both students and administrative staff. We have demanded his immediate removal and disciplinary action against him".

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There was no immediate response from Khatri on the alleged heckling of the dean. The students later filed a police complaint against Chakraborty, leading to the MLC being conducted. The dean clarified that he did not intend to file a counter-complaint, stating the experience was emotionally challenging for him. However, he said he might consider filing a defamation case against individuals spreading false allegations.

"I have served the university for a long time, and I understand the students' frustration over the delay. However, the incident has been emotionally taxing, and I feel deeply hurt by the baseless accusations," he added.

There was no immediate response from the Vice-Chancellor or the South Campus Director on the alleged heckling incident.