‘Casteist Remarks Have No Place in Academia’: AISA Protests at Delhi University, Seeks Professor’s Suspension

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.