The All India Students’ Association (AISA) held a protest outside the Department of Political Science at Delhi University’s North Campus, burning an effigy of Professor Sangit Ragi and demanding his immediate suspension over alleged casteist remarks made on national television.
The protest was organised a day earlier, following Ragi’s remarks targeting marginalised communities with derogatory language. AISA described the comments as casteist and called for strict disciplinary action against the professor, who is a former head of the department and has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Anjali, an AISA activist at Delhi University, alleged that the university was treating faculty members accused of caste discrimination differently from teachers who engage with anti-caste thought.
“What we are witnessing in DU is a calculated assault on social justice,” Anjali said, referring to the alleged lack of action against Ragi and the termination of Dr Saripalli V. Ravikiran. She claimed that Ravikiran was removed for teaching the works of B R Ambedkar and described the situation as an attempt to marginalise critical teaching.
Nirali, AISA’s Delhi University president, said the presence of people who make casteist remarks in senior academic positions created an atmosphere of intimidation for students and teachers from oppressed communities.
She alleged that such conduct contributed to the institutionalisation of caste discrimination on campus and said AISA would oppose attempts to promote caste-based hatred within the university.
Ravi, an AISA activist and postgraduate student in the Department of Political Science, said the remarks reflected a mindset that was being normalised within academic institutions.
“When professors become active propagators of bigotry, the classroom ceases to be a space of independent thought and free inquiry,” he said.
AISA has demanded Ragi’s immediate suspension and disciplinary action over the remarks. It has also called for the reinstatement of Ravikiran and urged students and teachers to oppose caste discrimination on campus.
