The Facebook post reportedly describes ‘Ambedkarwadi, Manuvadi, secular, anarchist, or jihadi leftist intellectuals’ as ‘intellectual poison’
NEW DELHI — The Delhi Teachers’ Federation (DTF) on Wednesday sharply condemned a Facebook post by newly-elected Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) President Virender S Negi, calling it “toxic, shameful, and unbecoming of the President of DUTA.”
Negi, in his post, reportedly described “Ambedkarwadi, Manuvadi, secular, anarchist, or jihadi leftist intellectuals” as “intellectual poison.” The DTF said his statement reflects “an intolerant attitude towards those who critique state and social oppression,” adding that it insults BR Ambedkar and those striving for an egalitarian society.
“The inclusion of Manuvadi in his statement could either be a typing error or a convoluted attempt to degrade Ambedkar,” the DTF remarked, suggesting that Negi’s remarks betray ignorance of Ambedkar’s critique of Manuvad and caste hierarchies.
Calling the phrase ‘intellectual poison’ particularly offensive, the federation said it was “unfit language for the head of a teachers’ body in a university known for open debate and diversity of thought.” The DTF alleged that Negi’s rhetoric aligns with the Delhi University Vice-Chancellor’s recent “politically charged” comments against what he termed “urban Naxals,” and echoed the ruling establishment’s intolerance toward dissenting voices.
The DTF also criticised the Delhi chief minister’s remarks crediting the Brahmin community for “igniting the flame of knowledge” and linking “scriptures and weapons” to social protection, saying such statements parallel “attempts to erase issues of caste, conflict, and gender discrimination from academic syllabi.”
Citing the recent shoe-hurling incident at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, the DTF said it represented “another instance of intolerant and aggressive reassertion of a particular worldview.”
The federation further accused Negi of failing to address “any of the pending issues affecting teachers” despite being in office for over a month, alleging that his “cheap tactics” were meant to “divert attention from his inaction by vilifying colleagues as ‘intellectual poison’ and ‘jihadis.’”
“The statement made by Dr Negi is obnoxious and unbecoming of the DUTA President — in fact, unbecoming of any teacher,” the DTF declared.
The statement was signed by Rajib Ray, President, and Abha Dev Habib, Secretary, of the Delhi Teachers’ Federation.
