Ex-diplomat’s misogynistic, sexist remarks at college event spark row

A guest lecture by retired diplomat Deepak Vohra at Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) on Thursday (September 11), intended to inspire students on India’s future, has instead triggered widespread criticism and unrest on campus.

The event, organised by the Department of BA Programme, was the inaugural major speaker session of the academic year. Deepak, a former ambassador to Armenia, Poland and Sudan, was invited to speak on “Unstoppable India 2047”.

The session reportedly had more than 700 students filling the auditorium, as the college made special arrangements to encourage the attendance. Many students, particularly UPSC aspirants and those interested in public policy and diplomacy, expected the event to be a serious intellectual engagement.

However, the mood quickly shifted when Deepak began his speech with informal humour that soon veered into divisive and inappropriate territory. Students allege that the retired diplomat made sexist, casteist, misogynistic and communal remarks, prompting discomfort and outrage among attendees.

“He said things like, ‘Tomorrow you are going to be mothers and wives, and your children will be the products of this great nation’,” a student, who requested anonymity, told The Tribune. “Some students objected, but some clapped. It was sad to see people giving him a standing ovation despite the offensive remarks.”

Another student said he was being “strangely unprofessional and flirtatious with the principal,” adding that such behaviour was unbecoming of a respected guest.

A slide from his presentation shared by a student and reviewed by The Tribune, labelled “Bharat’s Four Azadis”, claimed that India’s “latest independence” was achieved following the inauguration of the Ram Temple.

In addition, students shared videos with this correspondent in which Deepak made ‘inappropriate’ comments.

One student recalled, “He said he could have four wives, including your principal, if he changed his name to Mohammed Deepak.”

A video showed him dancing and joking, “Fir se bulaoge na? Nahi bulaoge tab bhi aata rahunga…” (Will you invite me again? Even if you don’t, I’ll keep coming).

In a recorded segment uploaded on YouTube, he is heard saying, “Jab main principal madam jaisi madam se milta hoon, main kya kehta hoon?” (When I meet a madam like the principal, what do I say?) followed by the popular song “Bachna Ae Haseeno, Lo Main Aa Gaya” (“Hey beauties, look—I’m here”). He also joked, “Don’t think I am Narendra Modi’s chamcha, I’m maha chamcha” (Don’t think I am Narendra Modi’s sycophant, I’m a super sycophant).

The controversial remarks have prompted students to demand accountability from the college administration. “The principal must take responsibility and conduct a background check before inviting speakers,” said a student.

Aman Kumar, executive council and court member at Delhi University, also condemned the remarks. “He is a former diplomat. He should be careful about his conduct. Our demand is that a report of this incident should be submitted to the university,” he told The Tribune.

The students union has not yet released an official statement, and the top authorities at the college declined to comment when approached by the Tribune.

“It’s about integrity, we want to be away from caste, race and gender inequality,” one student said. “We are here to stand up whenever something is wrong,” she added.