Ahmedabad-based Nirma University has intensified its crisis management efforts as a second viral video featuring Professor H.K. Patel surfaced on social media, amplifying ongoing student protests. The fresh footage features the professor flaunting a custom “HK The Brand” t-shirt and making controversial statements from a stage, further escalating tensions on campus.
Anatomy of the Controversy
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The Initial Incident: The controversy erupted during ‘Technofora 2026’—a college festival held from September 18 to 20 featuring stand-up comedian Rajat Sood. While Professor Patel (Head of the Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering department) was speaking, a student from the audience heckled him using the popular Bollywood movie dialogue, “Jaldi bol, Panvel nikalna hai” (“Speak quickly, I have to leave for Panvel”).
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The Physical Confrontation: Enraged by the interruption, Professor Patel called the student up onto the stage, grabbed him by the t-shirt collar, and warned him that he could “go to any extent”. The confrontation was captured on video, spreading rapidly across social media platforms.
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The Second Viral Video: Amid mounting demands for his resignation, the newly surfaced clip features Professor Patel leaning into his persona, pointing to a t-shirt emblazoned with “HK The Brand” and remarking, “Baap hai baap hee rahenge, jisko jo ukhadna hai ukhad le” (“The father will always remain the father, let people do whatever they can”).
Campus Protests and Institutional Response
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Student Union Backlash: Student organizations including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) launched demonstrations on campus grounds, demanding a formal public apology and the professor’s resignation. Activists alleged that the student was subjected to severe intimidation, including threats regarding academic consequences.
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University Investigation: Nirma University Director General / Vice-Chancellor R.N. Patel confirmed that a three-member high-powered inquiry committee comprising senior deans and directors has been constituted to investigate the matter.
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Current Status: While initial reports indicated that both the professor and the student exchanged apologies, the emergence of the second video has reignited student protests, drawing heavy police deployment to the university gates as investigations continue.
