'Desi methods...': DU college principal applies cow dung on classroom walls to tackle heat, faces backlash

Members of the faculty expressed their disapproval of the principal’s decision.

A video showing the principal of Delhi University’s Lakshmibai College applying cow dung to the walls of a classroom has gone viral, prompting widespread backlash and debate online.

The principal, Professor Pratyush Vatsala, confirmed the action and stated it was part of an ongoing academic research project. Speaking to PTI, she said the initiative was linked to a study titled “Study of Heat Stress Control by Using Traditional Indian Knowledge”, currently being conducted by a faculty member.

“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,” she said.

The video clip, reportedly shared by Vatsala herself in a faculty WhatsApp group, shows her standing on a chair, assisted by college staff, applying cow dung to the walls of a classroom in C Block. In the accompanying message, she wrote, “Desi methods are being adopted to address complaints about the heat in C Block. Those who have classes here will soon receive these rooms in a new form. Efforts are underway to make your teaching experience more comfortable.”

The use of cow dung, traditionally believed in rural India to have natural cooling properties, has triggered strong responses from academics and social media users.

Professor Vijender Chauhan, who coaches UPSC aspirants, questioned the implications of such a move on the employability of students graduating from the institution. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “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?”

Another user remarked, “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.”

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

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Vijender Chauhan (@masijeevi) April 13, 2025

Lakshmibai College, located in Ashok Vihar and run by the Delhi government, was established in 1965 and named after Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. It comprises five academic blocks, with the current initiative focused on one of the classrooms in C Block.

A final-year undergraduate student told The Indian Express, “Although basic facilities like fans are present in the classroom, a back-to-the-roots solution was given by the principal to beat the heat. It was surprising.”

Another student, associated with the student union, said the union had received several complaints over the past week regarding rising temperatures and malfunctioning fans. “This particular classroom is above the canteen and is part of one of the older buildings. We are not sure how the classroom will function after the cow dung has been applied. We plan to visit next week and speak to the students.”

Members of the faculty also expressed their disapproval of the principal’s decision.

Neelam, a member of the Academic Council and Associate Professor at the college, told The Indian Express, “Basic infrastructure facilities must be addressed seriously. How can one start making changes to classrooms without passing it in the Council? Just because a classroom is old doesn’t mean its infrastructure and maintenance can be ignored. The facilities in our college need urgent attention.”

“Washrooms are unhygienic for both students and teachers, classroom window panes are broken, and there are a lot of mosquitoes. We need practical solutions to these problems — not the application of cow dung on walls,” she added.

Professor Pankaj Garg, Chairman of the Indian National Teacher’s Congress, also criticised the approach. “Such approaches are taking us back in time instead of moving us forward. Instead of addressing infrastructure issues on campus with practical solutions, we are resorting to activities that belong to the Stone Age. That is not right. We are about to enter the fourth year of the National Education Policy, yet there are still no concrete solutions on the table for how we’re going to accommodate students in classrooms with such poor infrastructure.”