AHMEDABAD: Nirma University has formed a three-member committee to probe an incident in which a professor was seen grabbing a student’s collar during a stand-up comedy show, with the university saying the faculty member later apologised to the student.The move followed a video of the incident going viral on social media and protests by student organisations seeking action against the professor.Nirma University Director General RN Patel said on Friday that the committee, comprising three senior professors, is expected to submit its report within three to four days.A video purportedly showing the professor grabbing the student’s collar during a show featuring comedian Rajat Sood had triggered reactions from student organisations, news agency PTI reported.The incident allegedly took place during ‘Technofora 2026’, organised by students of the university’s Institute of Technology from September 18 to 20.“Following the incident that took place, the university immediately took cognizance/action and spoke with both the faculty and the student. Following that, the faculty member apologized to the student, and the student also admitted that such a comment should not have been made and apologized,” Patel told reporters.“The university management also spoke to the student’s parents following the incident. Furthermore, at the university level, we have formed a committee comprising three senior professors. The committee’s report is expected within three to four days,” Patel added.According to the video, the professor had called a student from the audience to the stage and was seen grabbing him by the collar.It was claimed that while the professor was speaking from the stage, the student shouted, “Jaldi kar, Panvel nikalna hai”, referring to a dialogue from a Bollywood film.In the video, the professor is also heard threatening the student and saying, “I can go to any extent. The day you dare to insult any faculty member of the Nirma University campus, you are gone forever.”The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad staged a demonstration outside the university campus on Friday, while the Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) had registered its protest on Thursday.Both organisations sought action against the professor.(With PTI inputs)
