Delhi University’s Laxmibai College Principal, Pratyush Vatsala, has found herself in the center of controversy after a video surfaced showing her applying cow dung to the walls of a classroom.
The video, which went viral on social media, shows Vatsala using the traditional substance to coat the walls with the help of her staff, sparking immediate public debate and curiosity.
Vatsala defended her actions in a statement to the media, clarifying that the unusual activity was part of a research project being conducted by a faculty member.
The project, titled Study of Heat Stress Control by Using Traditional Indian Knowledge, aims to explore how indigenous materials like cow dung can be used to cool classrooms.
“This is an ongoing research project,” she said in an interview with PTI. “I’ll be able to provide more details about the entire project after a week once the information is ready.”
The principal explained that she personally applied cow dung to one of the classrooms in C Block, where the research is taking place. She noted that the experiment is being conducted in porta cabins and insisted that using natural materials like cow dung is harmless. “There’s nothing wrong with using natural mud,” she said. “Unfortunately, some people are spreading misinformation without knowing the full context of the project.”
Vatsala herself reportedly shared the video in a teachers’ group within the college, highlighting the use of traditional methods to cool classrooms as part of the ongoing research. Despite her explanations, the video has sparked a wave of criticism, with many questioning the scientific validity of such an approach. Critics argue that while traditional methods may have their merits, applying cow dung to classroom walls might not provide the desired cooling effect and could raise hygiene concerns.
The debate has been polarizing. Some people are defending the initiative, viewing it as an attempt to explore eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives to combat heat stress in classrooms. Others, however, are skeptical of its effectiveness and have questioned whether the experiment is suitable for an academic environment. Social media users have demanded greater transparency, urging the university to provide more concrete evidence of the project’s potential benefits.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Delhi University has not yet commented on whether the research project has been officially approved by the relevant academic bodies. Many are awaiting further details on the scientific basis of the research and its expected outcomes.
Meanwhile, activists from the Delhi University Students’ Council stormed the principal’s office and smeared cow dung on the walls in protest.
In response to the growing backlash, Vatsala has promised to release additional information about the project within the next week. For now, however, the situation remains unresolved, with questions still swirling about the intersection of traditional practices and modern science in the academic setting. As this story develops, it remains to be seen whether the project will be seen as a progressive step toward sustainable innovation or an ill-conceived experiment.