Articles by Kritika Tiwari,Shafali Nigam

Technology

‘We Are Not Promoting the Event’: DU Dean Responds to Criticism Over Cow Welfare Summit

Delhi University (DU) is facing criticism from sections of its faculty and teachers’ associations after the Office of the Dean of Colleges issued a circular urging colleges to share information about a five-day ‘National Godhan Summit’. The controversy erupted at the same time that a long-running academic seminar on land and democracy at the university was abruptly cancelled. Responding to the backlash, DU Dean of Colleges Balaram Pani on Friday clarified that the university is not promoting the event. Earlier this week, an email from the Dean’s office asked all college principals to disseminate details of the ‘Rashtriya Godhan Summit’, scheduled to take place from November 5 to 9, 2025, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The email read, “I would like inform you that Rashtriya Godhan Mahasang is organizing a 5 Days National Godhan Summit (5th to 9th November, 2025) at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium, Near India Gate, New Delhi.” Don't Miss: Delhi Govt Releases Rs 108 Crore Grant For 12 DU Colleges “In this regard, kindly circulate this information among teaching, non-teaching staff and students, so they can attend this summit, witnessing plethora of activities and exhibitions. Based on the theme of Bio E 3 (environment, employment and economy), this summit will be attended by many dignitaries, renowned social activist and representatives of more than six hundred Gaushalas from all over India. Exhibition showcasing various Panchgavy products is one of the major highlights of the event. Each day program is scheduled from 9am to 9 pm,” the email further reads. Speaking exclusively to Times Now, Pani defended the university’s position: “Whoever wishes to attend the event may do so voluntarily. It is entirely their choice—there is no compulsion or pressure. The organizers stated that this summit focuses on how Godhan products can contribute to employment, the economy, and the environment. Therefore, it is up to individuals whether they want to participate. We are neither providing money for the event nor receiving any in return. Also, the event is not being held inside the university premises; it is taking place outside.” Rejecting claims that DU was endorsing the summit, he added: “If someone is working in the nation’s interest—supporting economic growth and improving the environment—why shouldn’t we support that? However, we are not promoting this event. And if any event goes against national interests, we will not support it under any circumstance.” He further said, “Everyone talks about environmental pollution, and if someone proposes an initiative that claims to improve the environment, isn’t that beneficial for the country? But again, attending the summit is completely voluntary—no one is being compelled to attend it.” DU Registrar Vikas Gupta also addressed the controversy, telling Times Now, “The university was not promoting the event, saying, “Promotion means forcing someone to attend. We only circulated the invitation we received to all colleges. If students find it interesting, they are free to attend. As long as it doesn’t cause or imply any harm, there shouldn’t be an issue.” On the cancelled seminar on property rights, Gupta stated: “The event was cancelled because the concerned departments had failed to seek prior approval from the academic branch despite repeated reminders. In recent months, we have also had to cancel talks organised by the Political Science and Sanskrit departments for the same reason. The Sociology Department never submitted its proposal for approval, and therefore, the seminar had to be cancelled.” However, DU’s Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) issued a sharply worded statement condemning the administration’s decisions. This week, the university administration, under the direction of the Vice-Chancellor’s office, arbitrarily cancelled a long-standing academic seminar at the prestigious Sociology Department of the Delhi School of Economics (DSE). Professor Sundar stated she could no longer guarantee the intellectual integrity of the forum indicating that the cancellation signals that the RSS-led BJP government is wary of any meaningful discussion around land and democratic rights. Calling the move “a direct attack on critical thinking and academic freedom”, the press note said, “It undermines the very foundation of a university as a space for rigorous debate and critical inquiry, essential for the health of a democracy…” It further criticised the contrasting treatment of the summit: “The active institutional promotion of this dubious event, juxtaposed with the suppression of a critical social science seminar, reveals a clear bias against scientific temper which is a constitutional lodestar…” The DTF said this reflected an effort 'to hollow out the legacy of India’s post-1947 achievements in both natural and social sciences' and expressed concern that DU was being transformed “from a beacon of knowledge into an instrument for propaganda involving unscientific activities”.