AISA, NSUI Protest Against DU Professor's 'Marks Jihad' Remark

Left-affiliated AISA and the students' wing of the Congress, NSUI, staged a protest outside the Kirori Mal College here on Friday.

Left-affiliated AISA and the students' wing of the Congress, NSUI, staged a protest outside the Kirori Mal College here on Friday against a professor of the college who had alleged a conspiracy behind the admission of a large number of students from the Kerala board in the Delhi University (DU). Earlier this week, Professor Rakesh Kumar Pandey, a faculty member of the university and a member of the RSS-affiliated National Democratic Teachers' Front (NDTF), alleged a conspiracy behind a large number of students from the Kerala board getting admission to DU colleges and even used the term "Marks Jihad".

Pandey was not present in the college when the protest was staged. "I had raised an issue and the people about whom I had doubts are raising their voice now. I have not said anything that I should retract. I am ready to have a dialogue and I have arguments to support my views. As long as I can justify my statement, I won't apologise," he said.

The NDTF, however, dissociated itself from Pandey's comments. "Delhi University is a Central University, open for admission to students from all states and all secondary boards without discrimination. Students from all states have equal rights based on merit criteria to study in the best institutions constituent of the Central University status of DU.

"NDTF has nothing to do with views expressed by any individual on any state secondary board. NDTF unambiguously dissociates itself from any objectionable statement," the teachers' body said on Friday. The DU on Thursday dismissed allegations of favouritism towards state boards and said it maintains "equity to all meritorious candidates coming not only from Indian states but also from abroad". The All India Students' Association (AISA) demanded Pandey's immediate suspension and strict action against the professor.