Mita Mukherjee

Over 1000 former students of Indian Institute of Technology  (IIT)s have written an open letter to the IIT Kharagpur director, V.K. Tewari expressing their disgust and shock over the  way a professor of the institute had abused students during an online preparatory  class for SC, ST students and those with physical disabilities.

In the letter the alumni have demanded termination of the professor. They have also demanded the teacher and the institute issue an unconditional apology to the students.

“We the alumni of IITs, are disgusted and shocked by Professor Seema Singh’s abusive behavior toward her students in her English language class, many of whom belong to Scheduled  Castes and Scheduled Tribes.  Horrifying videos of her abuse may be seen …. where she is heard shouting expletives at and humiliating students….,” the letter read.

The letter signed by 1005 former students says that IITs were “already notoriously hostile to Dalit, Adivasi and backward caste students.’

The alumni have demanded that casteism is eradicated from the campus.

Singh, an associate professor of the humanities and social sciences department had been seen on a video clip verbally abusing students and their parents during an online class apparently for not standing up for the national anthem being played during the class last week. In the purported video she allegedly called the students “bloody b*******”.

 The video where she was purportedly heard abusing the students had gone viral in social media early this week.

The teacher was also heard telling the students she would give zero to the entire class.

In the letter to the IIT Kharagpur director, the alumni further say that t is evident from the videos that the professor is a “habitual offender and believes her casteism and abuse will go uncensored.” But they  (the alumni) won’t allow it.

Repeated calls to the director did not elicit any response.

Among the other demands mentioned in the letter includes the institute take strong punitive action against the teacher. Her behavior attracts provisions of the Scheduled Caste and  Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, the letter reads.   

The demands also include setting up of a SC, ST and OBC cell along the guidelines suggested by the University Grants Commission and taking strict action against “ casual and structural casteism” and sensitizing the campus about “structural discrimination”. The institute should also take necessary steps to ensure that students are treated with dignity and respect on the campus.

Also read: Video shows IIT Kharagpur professor abusing students during online class