Nirma University Incident: Professor Grabs Student Amid Controversy

An event at Nirma University in Ahmedabad has led to significant online controversy following the release of a video showing a senior professor grabbing a student by the collar. This incident took place during Technofora 2026, the university's annual technical event, associated with the International Society of Automation Students’ Chapter at the Institute of Technology.

The incident reportedly occurred during a stand-up comedy show featuring comedian Rajat Sood, where a student in the audience shouted a line from the Hindi film Golmaal 3. As per the footage that has circulated widely on social media, Professor Himanshu K Patel, who was present on stage, called the student forward. Upon the student’s arrival at the stage, the professor seized him by the collar and questioned his behaviour.

The recording captures Dr. Patel warning the student emphatically, stating he could take the matter “up to any extent” and that those disrespecting faculty members would face serious repercussions. However, the context leading up to this altercation is not clear from the short clip, which quickly spread online after being filmed by attendees.

This year’s Technofora was held from September 18 to 20 and attracted over 800 participants, featuring various technical competitions, workshops, and cultural events. Dr. Himanshu K Patel, the head of the Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering Department, has served at Nirma University since January 2000 and is a well-regarded figure in the academic community. According to the university’s official faculty profile, he possesses a PhD and has more than three decades of experience in academia, research, and industry.

His professional interests include power electronics and measurement techniques, and he has received several awards from the International Society of Automation for his contributions to education and student leadership.

In the wake of the incident, opinions have been divided online, with some social media users criticising the professor's actions while others argue the student's remarks were inappropriate. The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) is reportedly considering protests related to this confrontation.

Given the video's virality, the event has sparked larger discussions concerning the boundaries of authority between educators and students, especially in public settings. Until more information is provided by the university or those involved, the viral footage remains a stark representation of the incident but does not encapsulate the broader context.