DU professor Sangit Ragi’s office ransacked after row over ‘casteist’ slurs

NEW DELHI: The office of Sangit Kumar Ragi, a Delhi University professor, was allegedly ransacked by a group of people Wednesday, a day after his remarks against Samajwadi Party spokesperson Manoj Kaka in a television debate triggered a row over casteist slurs.Videos that have surfaced show a group of people entering the social sciences building on North Campus, where Ragi’s office is. They shouted “haye-haye” and demanded Ragi’s suspension.Some of them allegedly smeared cow dung on the gate of his office, covering the nameplate. They allegedly broke the glass pane on the office door, tore and scattered files and damaged furniture. The videos also showed people smearing cow dung inside the office.DU officials who did not wish to be quoted said the university was yet to file a police complaint. The protesters have filed a police complaint against Ragi.Ragi said he would not file a a police complaint as they were students. He said he believed they were from Samajwadi Party’s student outfit.Speaking to TOI, he said the protesters were angry about his remarks during the TV debate, which he admitted he should not have made.“It was a reaction to a fellow panelist. I am not a politician, and I feel I should have restrained myself and perhaps ignored his comments about me. I have personally apologised to him and also issued an apology online,” he said.The All India Students’ Association (AISA) held a separate protest outside Ragi’s office Wednesday and burnt his effigy. The organisation demanded his resignation over the alleged casteist remarks.In the November 3 TV debate, Ragi and Kaka started arguing during a discussion on remarks by Bageshwar Dham’s Dhirendra Shastri. Videos of the exchange circulated on social media. Ragi was heard using a casteist slur against Kaka, who too had used derogatory language against Ragi.Following the backlash, Ragi issued an apology on X Tuesday evening. He said Kaka had repeatedly made personal attacks against him. His response was aimed at people who use abusive language and not at any community, Ragi said.This, however, is not the first time Ragi has faced criticism over remarks during a television debate.In August, his comments about Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had led to complaints before the university’s vice-chancellor and at Parliament Street police station.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in DelhiStay updated with the latest Delhi news. Download the TOI App.