On November 11, 2024, AISA along with other student organizations, held a protest at the Kashmere Gate campus of Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) to condemn the arbitrary and unjust terminations of Professor Salil Mishra from the History Department and Professor Asmita Kabra from the Human Ecology Department. Over a hundred students gathered in solidarity to raise their voices against the unjust actions of the administration, standing firm against their autocratic rule that is systematically undermining academic freedom, workers’ rights, and democratic values at the university. Students and faculty made a collective stand against the broader campaign of harassment and targeting of professors who are critical of the administration and government, or who speak up about issues that they face.
ABVP, true to its agenda as an anti-student organisation, attempted to derail the demonstration by chanting disruptive slogans. Every time faculty and students stand together against injustice and the targeted harassment by the administration, ABVP turns up as a disruptive force to threaten the peace of the campus and break the solidarity of our movement. We remember how at AUDFA's protests earlier this year, when Professor Valentina was speaking about the caste and gender harassment she faced, ABVP shamelessly started screaming and chanting slogans in her face.
ABVP resorted to bringing in non-student outside elements to the campus to fulfil their violent agenda. It seems they have found no support on campus for their disruptive behaviour. These days ABVP only seems to be concerned with creating an unsafe and threatening environment on campus, all done with the approval and support of the administration.
Whenever voices of protest are raised against AUD's autocratic and apathetic administration, the shameless goons of the ABVP stand up to protect this corrupt administration. The ABVP lumpens have no rhyme or reason as to why their political activities on campus only constitute disrupting the rightful demands of students and faculty. How does the ABVP, claiming to be a student organisation, always find itself on the opposite side of where students' interests lie? This is another clear proof of the nexus between the administration and the ABVP.
The protests carried on despite this attempted disruption as students and faculty stood together against the admin-ABVP nexus.
Comrade Saiyed, Secretary AISA AUD, pointed out that “over 20 professors have already resigned from the university due to the shrinking space for academic freedom, and 22 others are currently fighting legal battles against the administration in court. Professors Salil and Asmita were both acting in accordance with the recommendations given by the Board of Management, yet they have been singled out and punished for simply upholding their duty to the university community.
Comrade Prerna, President AISA AUD, emphasized that “the attack on Professors Salil and Asmita is part of a larger assault on the democratic fabric of the campus. It is not just an attack on two individuals but a concerted effort to eliminate democratic participation and student governance.” She pointed out that “elections have not been held at AUD for over six years, further solidifying the autocratic control of the administration and silencing any voices that challenge its power.”
Comrade Pritam, PhD Scholar at AUD, raised the critical issue of “the denial of PhD scholarships and fellowships, and the bureaucratic structures that trap scholars in an oppressive and rigid system.” The administration’s failure to support research students is just an expression of the broader assault on academic freedom and intellectual independence.
The protest demonisation called for:
1. Immediately revoke the terminations of Professor Salil Mishra and Professor Asmita Kabra!
2. End the harassment and targeting of professors who speak out against injustice and the administration's corrupt agenda
3. Regularize the non-teaching staff and workers
4. Ensure academic freedom, democratic governance, and student participation at AUD
In a statement, AISA said it will continue to resist this oppressive administration and its authoritarian agenda, and we will not stop until the fundamental rights of students, workers, and professors are restored. In a statement, AISA said it will continue to resist this oppressive administration and its authoritarian agenda, and we will not stop until the fundamental rights of students, workers, and professors are restored. On November 12, AISA participated in the Day of Non-Cooperation announced by Ambedkar University Delhi Faculty Association (AUDFA) against AUD administration’s arbitrary termination of Prof. Salil Misra and Prof. Asmita Kabra. Members of AISA conducted campaigns in classes that were conducted despite the call for mass casual leave by AUDFA, to reason with students and some faculty members on why it was important that the entire AUD community participate. This resulted in most of the classes getting postponed and cancelled.
