Delhi University students and teachers condemn VC Yogesh Singh’s remarks equating Pinjra Tod with “Urban Naxalism,” after an official email shared his speech, sparking outrage over academic freedom and bias.
Several students and teachers of Delhi University (DU) on Saturday raised strong objections after the university’s computer centre, ‘Cyber Soochak’, circulated an email containing a video link to Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh’s recent speech, in which he allegedly likened the student-led Pinjra Tod movement to “Urban Naxalism.”
The video, titled “Naxal Mukt Bharat: Why Campuses Are the Targets?” features Prof. Singh’s address at an event held on 28 September, organised by a think tank affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The event was attended by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah.
In his speech, Prof. Singh referred to the Pinjra Tod movement—which campaigned against discriminatory hostel curfews and restrictions for women students—as a form of “Urban Naxalism.”
“They [Pinjra Tod activists] said this is a fight for freedom against parents, against the university. I was shocked. Then they say they want to take out night marches to establish their azaadi, fight against society… This is also a form of Urban Naxalism. It needs to be eradicated just as much,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor went on to link the movement’s founders, Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal—both of whom were arrested in 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)—to the ideology he described as “Urban Naxalism.”
The circulation of the video through the university’s official email system drew immediate backlash from student groups and faculty members who questioned the purpose and appropriateness of sharing such content via official channels.
Anjali, a DU student and member of the Left-affiliated All India Students’ Association (AISA), said, “Students have been receiving emails from the university to watch the speech. It is indicative of the larger saffronisation of the university.” She added that her organisation planned to protest against the remarks.
Several teachers also condemned the Vice-Chancellor’s statements, calling them “disturbing” and “politically motivated.” Abha Dev Habib, Associate Professor at Miranda House, said,
“The V-C’s speech reflects the loss of DU’s autonomy. Some of my students were part of Pinjra Tod, a celebrated movement that challenged gender discrimination in hostels. It is even more concerning that he made these comments as the Vice-Chancellor, representing the university.”
Maya John, Assistant Professor at Jesus and Mary College and member of DU’s Academic Council, said, “It is alarming to see the dismissive attitude of the V-C towards genuine concerns raised by women hostellers. Such remarks undermine the spirit of debate and reform that universities are meant to nurture.”
Rajesh Kumar Jha, a faculty member at Rajdhani College and member of the Aam Aadmi Party’s teachers’ wing, also criticised the remarks, stating, “The university should remain a free space for debate and the exchange of diverse ideas. Freedom of expression must be safeguarded.”
As of Saturday evening, Delhi University had not issued any official response to requests for comments regarding the email or the Vice-Chancellor’s statements.
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Featured Image source – The Hindu
Richa Choudhary
