New Delhi [India], October 17 : Professor Sujeet Kumar of Bhimrao Ambedkar College, Department of Commerce, spoke on the recent incident that took place inside the principal's room of the institute. Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) Joint Secretary, Deepika Jha, allegedly assaulted him, causing widespread condemnation from teachers and students across the university.
According to the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), Jha slapped Professor Sujit Kumar of the Commerce Department, who is also the convener of the college's disciplinary committee, inside the principal's office during an argument on Wednesday.
Prof. Sujeet Kumar stated that the incident occurred during an oath-taking ceremony of the union, which was being attended by the fresher's party and was being monitored by him. The president of the union was beaten by some students, after which the ceremony was halted. He further mentioned that around 50-100 DUSU members arrived at the college and assaulted male and female teachers.
"The elected president of the union, who was supposed to take the oath, was beaten by some students. He came to me with the complaint, and I assured him that this won't happen again; I am right here. When he went back, they beat him again...I told them that the ceremony needs to be stopped now that they have done this, to which they started shouting ...I stopped the program after that," he stated.
Kumar further mentions that the DUSU cadre humiliated and assaulted the staff. Female teachers were also harmed. Later, police officials provided some protection.
"The DUSU members were violent so the police took me to the principal room along with the leaders of the student union, the principal and a few officials...They forced me to resign there, so I did...Deepika tried to sit beside me, but the officials didn't allow her to do so. Then she tried to sit at the table in front of me, and the officials again asked her not to do so...Then she slapped me," he told ANI.
Jha, however claimed that she was threatned and abused by Professor Sujit. She also apologised fro what she termed was an impulsive action by her.
"In the Principal's office, in the presence of police, Professor Sujit threatened me and used abusive language. I immediately asked the police to intervene and stop him, but the officers present there took no action. His repeated threats, constant staring, and indecent remarks made it quite evident that the said professor, Sujit Kumar, had once again come to college under the influence of alcohol. In that moment of distress and anger, I reacted impulsively, for which I sincerely express regret. I apologise to the entire teaching community for this incident. I had no intention whatsoever to disrespect teachers," Jha said in her statement to ANI.
A purported CCTV video shared by teachers shows Jha standing up during a discussion and slapping the professor sitting beside her. A woman police officer present at the scene is seen trying to restrain her.