Mahamedhaa Nagar: Teacher Beater Becomes DUSU Secretary

The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election result was announced on September 13 where the congress backed NSUI won the post of President and Vice President. The other two posts – Secretary and joint secretary was landed by Mahamedhaa Nagar and Uma Shankar of RSS affiliated student political party, ABVP.

The only woman candidate fielded by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the DUSU elections has hit her own college teacher, and has also beaten up students and journalists.

On February 22nd, 2017, a peaceful protest by the students and teachers Delhi University turned into a brutal affair after members of ABVP attacked the protesters. Mahamedhaa Nagar was at the forefront, punching and kicking Abha Dev Habib, a DU faculty. Various student organisations and teaching faculty have criticized the party for choosing Mahamedhaa Nagar for the post of Secretary.

Mocking the manifesto released by ABVP, Habib said "They are promising violent free campus when they themselves are fielding someone who is audacious enough to hit her teacher,” The manifesto released by the student political party focused on having a 'fear-free' campus.

Irked over her selection, the members of All India Students Association (AISA) had planned to write to the Vice-Chancellor and the election committee. They claim that Nagar's name was mentioned in the PIL filed by a section of students in the Delhi High Court seeking action against those involved in the Ramjas violence. There are clear evidences of Nagar attacking the students. Newsclick reporters have also faced assault from her.

ABVP’s national media convener, Saket Bahugna claimed that all these are mere allegations and hold no base. "Those who are alleging that she had assaulted a teacher could not prove anything against her. According to Lyngdoh Committee's recommendations, a student cannot compete in elections if she or he has faced some disciplinary action. However, there no such action has been taken against Nagar," he said.

The former Roadies contestant was caught on camera hitting students who were recording this ordeal on their mobile phones. Another recording showed a girl being beaten up by 4 male students. The police all this while failed to arrest or even stop ABVP members from spreading the violence. Instead, they arrested silent protesters, holding banners and placards in their hands, not weapons. Policemen were caught on camera punching and slapping protesters who had peacefully surrendered themselves to the police.

"This is a new low in the history of Delhi University. Those who assaulted their teachers in the name of 'nationalism' are being promoted by the ABVP," said Abha Dev Habib