Should’ve tried it at home first: Delhi University V-C on college principal who applied cow dung on classroom walls

Over Lakshmibai College principal Pratyush Vatsala’s attempt to “cool down” the classroom amid scorching heat by applying cow dung on the walls, Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh on Tuesday said that she should have first experimented with it in her home or office.

“I cannot comment on its scientific aspect because I’m not an expert. I think that if the experiment was important, she could have first experimented at her home or office before carrying it out in the classroom,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu.

Ms. Vatsala had said that the act was part of an ongoing research project led by a faculty member on controlling heat using traditional Indian knowledge.

Meanwhile, Delhi University Student Union president and Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) leader Ronak Khatri entered Ms. Vatsala’s office and smeared cow dung on the walls.

Though Ms. Vatsala reiterated that the act was part of the project, Mr. Khatri said, “If you want to do research, do it at your home,” he said.

There was no response from the university regarding the incident.

Later in the day, the NSUI said in a statement, “The Principal of Lakshmibai College was appointed for academic duties, not to act as an RSS foot soldier. Her actions are a clear attempt to push the Sangh’s agenda and distract from students’ real issues like scholarships, infrastructure, and education.”