Protests after former DU teacher dies by suicide months after being removed

The deceased man was under deep depression ever since another lecturer was appointed in his place at a college in Delhi University, his cousin told the police

A 33-year-old man, who used to teach philosophy at a college at Delhi University’s north campus, died by suicide at his residence in the Rani Bagh area of outer Delhi, police officers associated with the case said on Thursday, adding that no suicide note has been found.

Investigators said no foul play is suspected in the death. (Representational Image/Getty Images)

The man’s death came months after he was displaced from his post as an ad-hoc teacher, and the news sparked protests by DU students and faculty members, who held a demonstration outside the college, demanding justice for the deceased.

According to officers associated with the case, the Rani Bagh police station on Wednesday evening received a call regarding the death by suicide of a man in his apartment.

Deputy commissioner of police (outer) Harendra Kumar Singh said a police team reached the spot and took the body to a nearby hospital.

“A mobile crime team and forensic sciences laboratory (Rohini) team inspected the crime scene. During the enquiry, the deceased man’s cousin revealed that the man had been working as an ad hoc teacher at a DU college. He had been depressed after another lecturer was appointed in his place there,” the DCP said.

After news of the teacher’s death emerged, DU students and faculty members began a protest outside the college.

Nandita Narain, who teaches at St Stephen’s College and is the president of the Democratic Teachers’ Front, said she met the man after he had learnt that had been displaced.

“For years, people give their service and take part in all academic and extracurricular activities but despite their contributions, they are thrown out and new teachers are taken in. There is no fairness in the process,” said Narain.

Maya John, a DU academic council member, said a sizable number of long-serving ad-hoc teachers, who otherwise fill all the eligibility criteria for teaching posts as advertised by DU colleges, are being displaced in the recent interviews. “There is deep a sense of betrayal and helplessness as they have been rendered without a livelihood after having taught in colleges/departments and contributing to the university for years. In the majority of these interviews, it has been felt that merit and past experience do not count, and that it is rather non-merit factors like nepotism, cronyism, favouritism, adherence, liaising, influencing, and obeisance that are at play,” said John.

A member of the All India Students’ Association, who was also at the protest, said, “It’s important for the university administration to ensure that without any political biases, teachers are recruited.”

The principal of the college in question said the deceased had joined the college as an ad-hoc teacher in 2021. “In the first week of February, interviews took place, and the teacher was adjusted somehow in line with the teaching workload. We managed to adjust him instead of immediate termination... He continued for the period that was left in the term. Beyond that, he could not continue since we are now in the process of taking teachers in guest appointments,” the principal said.

A spokesperson of the varsity said, “The University of Delhi pays its heartfelt condolences on the teacher’s sad and untimely demise and sends out healing prayers and comfort to his family in this tough time. No words can ease the pain that is being felt by all, including us in the university fraternity. Our thoughts are with the departed soul and his family and we pray for strength and peace to them during this time of mourning.”