On Friday, Delhi Police apprehended Chandra Shekhar Aazad, the leader of Bhim Army, and a group of Delhi University students during a demonstration in North Campus expressing support for former assistant professor Ritu Singh.
Ritu Singh faced termination of her services by Daulat Ram College in 2020, and she has been actively protesting against alleged caste-based discrimination and harassment orchestrated by the college administration. The legal proceedings regarding this matter are currently underway.
A senior police officer reported, "Aazad, along with his supporters and other students, arrived at North Campus to conduct a protest. The demonstrators were detained as they lacked permission to organize a demonstration." Approximately 80 individuals, including Aazad, were taken into custody and transported to Burari police station. They are expected to be released after a few hours, according to the officer.
Expressing concern about the incident, Maya John, a member of Delhi University's Academic Council, commented on the diminishing democratic space within the university campus and beyond. She termed the events as "condemnable" and emphasized the unfortunate trend of authorities suppressing protests, leaving minimal room for democratic resistance.
John urged all democratic forces to unite against administrative authoritarianism, repression, and the absence of accountability, stressing the need for collective resistance. The incident highlights growing concerns about the shrinking democratic spaces for expression and dissent within academic institutions.
(With Agency Inputs)
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