V-C Yogesh Singh had allegedly compared the Pinjra Tod movement to ‘Urban Naxalism’.
| Photo Credit: File Photo
Several students of Delhi University (DU) raised objections on Saturday after receiving an e-mail from the university’s computer centre, ‘Cyber Soochak’, with the video link of Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh’s address at a recent event in which he allegedly compared the student-led Pinjra Tod movement against discriminatory hostel rules to “Urban Naxalism”.
Students and several teachers of the university objected to the content of the video link, titled ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat: why campuses are the Targets?’, and questioned the need to share the speech.
Prof. Singh had made the speech at an event organised by a think tank linked to the BJP on September 28, which was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“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,” Prof. Singh had said in his address.
“It’s because their thinking is developed in such a way that their founders, Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, were both arrested in 2020 under the UAPA,” the V-C had added.
Anjali, a DU student and member of the Left-affiliated All India Students’ Association, said, “Students have been receiving e-mails from the university to watch the speech. It is indicative of the larger saffronisation of the university.” She added that her outfit will soon call for a protest against the speech.
‘Loss of DU’s autonomy’
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 the Pinjra Tod movement. As a woman, I can say that Pinjra Tod was a celebrated movement. We saw it as an intervention. It is even more concerning that he has made these comments as the V-C and not independently,” she said.
‘Alarming to watch’
Maya John, Assistant Professor at Jesus and Mary College and member of DU’s Academic Council, said, “It is alarming to watch the dismissive attitude of the V-C on concerns raised by women hostellers.”
Rajesh Kumar Jha, faculty member at Rajdhani College and member of the Aam Aadmi Party’s teachers’ wing, said, “The university is a free space for debating and nourishing diversity of ideas, and for freedom of expression. DU should ensure this.”
The university did not respond to requests seeking comment on the e-mail or the V-C’s speech.
Published – October 05, 2025 01:34 am IST
