A video of Laxmibai College, a Delhi University College, Principal using cow dung to coat walls in a classroom has gone viral and the act drew criticism online. Principal Pratyush Vatsala spoke to PTI and said that this was part of a research project being conducted by a faculty member. She said that the project, “Study of Heat Stress Control through the Use of Traditional Indian Knowledge” is ongoing.
She is Principal of a college of my University. Duly plastering cow-shit on classroom walls. I am concerned about many things – to begin with- If you are an employer and applicant studied from an institution which has such academic leader- what are odds of her getting hired? pic.twitter.com/0olZutRudS
---Advertisement---— Vijender Chauhan (@masijeevi) April 13, 2025
“It is under process. I will be able to share details of the full research after a week. The research is being carried out in porta cabins. I coated one of them myself because there’s no harm in touching natural mud. Some people are spreading misinformation without knowing the full details,” Pratyush Vatsala said.
The video of the classroom walls being coated in cow dung was allegedly posted on a WhatsApp group of teachers by the principal herself. In the video, principal Pratyush Vatsala was seen applying cow dung to the walls, saying that indigenous practices were being used to cool down the classrooms in C Block.
“Those who have classes here will soon get these rooms in a new look. Efforts are being made to make your teaching experience pleasant,” she wrote in the message.
Professor Vijender Chauhan, an instructor for UPSC candidates, raised doubts over the chances of jobs for students attending a college with a person whose classroom walls are adorned with cow dung.
“She is Principal of a college of my University. Duly plastering cow-shit on classroom walls. I am concerned about many things – to begin with- If you are an employer and applicant studied from an institution which has such academic leader- what are odds of her getting hired?” Chauhan wrote on X.
One user wrote, “The principal of Delhi University’s LB College first tied a cow inside the college. Then, using cow dung appropriately, the work of whitewashing the walls of the college has also started. If drinking cow urine is made compulsory in colleges, then no one can stop the country from becoming a Vishwa Guru.”
Situated in Ashok Vihar and operated by the Delhi government since its establishment in 1965, the college honored Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. It encompasses five blocks of buildings, with the recent action being an initiative focused on one.
