Ex-DU Lecturer Detained Amid Protest Against Caste Atrocities
Former Delhi University professor Dr. Ritu Singh, alongside a group of her supporters, protesting against alleged caste discrimination were detained by the Delhi Police on Tuesday.
The protest, which marked the 163rd day of Dr. Ritu Singh’s ongoing demonstration, aimed at the removal of Daulat Ram College’s principal, Dr. Savita Roy, over allegations of caste-based discrimination and the subsequent dismissal of Singh from her position as an assistant professor.
Following the hundreds of demonstrators holding a peaceful strike in North Campus, University of Delhi, a large number of police personnel were deployed.
“This protest will not stop until the police arrest the principal…that is how the rules and regulations under the constitution function,” said Singh through X (formerly Twitter).
During the demonstration, Dr. Singh claimed that she and some supporters were singled out and taken to Jaffarpur Kalan police station, while others were detained at Maurice Nagar police station.
A protestor who was detained alleged, “We were made to stand in a line to be counted while being verbally abused. It was dehumanizing. I do not think a protest where the majority is from the upper caste will face such abuse.”
Student groups including All India Students’ Association (AISA), Bhagat Singh Chatra Ekta Manch (BSCEM) have expressed their solidarity with Dr. Singh’s protest. Several politicians including Congress leader Srinivas, former Delhi minister Rajendra Pal Gautam and former MP Udit Raj and BSP MP Girish Chandra have also showed their support.
Dr. Singh, a Dalit ad-hoc psychology professor, had joined Daulat Ram College in 2019 but was terminated from her position within a year when her contract was not renewed. When Singh went to join the college in August 2020, she did not receive her joining letter. Upon taking the matter to the High Court. The principal then submitted a letter signed by 35 students expressing dissatisfaction with Singh’s teaching.
