On September 20, 2026, Professor HK Patel of Nirma University in Ahmedabad grabbed a student’s collar during the Technofora 2026 fest, sparking outrage.
The incident unfolded when the student interrupted Patel with a Bollywood line, prompting the professor to yank the student onto the stage and slap the collar, according to footage released by the university’s IT department. Patel, who has served for 26 years, later recorded a separate clip where he proudly declared "HK the brand" on a t‑shirt, adding a dismissive line that further inflamed campus sentiment.
ABVP and NSUI activists gathered outside the campus gates, chanting for Patel’s resignation and an official apology. The protests were met with a heavy police presence, and the university closed its entrances to prevent clashes.
In response, Director‑General RN Patel announced a three‑member investigative committee on September 25, citing the need to "address student safety and faculty conduct". The committee will review security footage, interview witnesses, and recommend disciplinary actions.
Police units were deployed across the campus to ensure order, and the university’s security team secured the premises, while students at the nearby Institute of Technology staged sit‑ins demanding transparent proceedings. The next step will be the committee’s report, due in early October, which could see Patel’s suspension or dismissal.