Students’ body protest termination of Profs at Ambedkar University
A number of students gathered at Ambedkar University Delhi’s (AUD) Kashmere Gate campus on Monday to protest what they called the “arbitrary and unjust” termination of Professor Salil Mishra from the History Department and Professor Asmita Kabra from the Human Ecology Department.
Organised by the All-India Students’ Association (AISA), the demonstration condemned the varsity administration’s alleged encroachment on academic freedom and democratic values.
“We’re standing against a campaign that targets professors critical of the administration and government,” said Comrade Saiyed, secretary of AISA, AUD. “Over 20 professors have already resigned due to the shrinking space for academic freedom, and 22 others are currently battling the administration in court. Professors Salil and Asmita were following Board of Management recommendations, yet they’ve been unfairly singled out for simply doing their duty,” he added.
According to protesters, the AUD administration’s actions reflect a broader trend in academia of stifling independent voices. Comrade Prerna, president of AISA, AUD, argued, “The attack on professors is part of a larger assault on campus democracy. This isn’t just about two individuals — it’s about eliminating democratic participation and stifling student governance. It’s been over six years since AUD held any student elections, which only reinforces the administration’s control and silences dissenting voices.”
During the demonstration, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were accused of attempting to disrupt proceedings by raising slogans. AISA members alleged that the ABVP brought non-student outsiders onto campus, intensifying the tension. “Every time faculty and students protest injustice, the ABVP appears as a disruptive force. They’re only interested in creating an unsafe, threatening environment on campus,” Saiyed remarked.
This isn’t the first time ABVP has been involved in clashes during campus protests, AISA members claim. “At earlier protests, when Prof Valentina spoke about harassment, ABVP members raised slogans in her face. Their disruptive tactics only prove the close connection between the administration and ABVP,” Prerna recounted.
The protest also highlighted other campus issues, including scholarship and fellowship delays for PhD scholars and employment concerns for non-teaching staff. “The administration’s neglect of research students reflects its broader disregard for academic freedom,” said Comrade Pritam, a PhD scholar. “Bureaucratic barriers and delayed scholarships trap us in an oppressive system,” he added.
Protesters issued a series of demands, including the reinstatement of Prof Mishra and Kabra, an end to the alleged harassment of faculty who speak out, the regularisation of non-teaching staff, and the revival of democratic governance at AUD.
