DU professor faces expulsion demand over alleged derogatory remarks on Dalit community

New Delhi: The Indian National Teachers' Congress (INTEC) has demanded "strict disciplinary action, including expulsion", against a Delhi University professor over alleged derogatory remarks about the Dalit community. In a letter to the DU vice-chancellor, INTEC chairman Pankaj Garg alleged that the professor from the university's Department of Political Science made the remarks during a recent television debate.

"We are writing to express our concern regarding the highly objectionable and insensitive remarks made... during a recent television debate," the teachers' body said in an email, quoting the alleged statement as, "Gulamo ki mansikta yahin hain, Dalit mansikta (This is the slave mentality -- the Dalit mentality)". INTEC condemned the alleged statement as "deeply offensive and derogatory", saying it perpetuated harmful historical prejudices, promoted social division and was contrary to constitutional values of equality, dignity and social justice.

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"Academics and leaders in higher education carry a duty to foster social harmony and uphold egalitarian principles," the teachers' body said, adding that such utterances undermine an inclusive academic environment. The organisation urged the university administration to initiate strict disciplinary action against the professor, including expulsion, following due process and applicable service rules. It also urged the vice-chancellor to take "prompt action" to affirm the university's opposition to "casteist slurs and discrimination". No immediate response was available from the vice-chancellor.