DU Prof Sangeet Ragi Uses Casteist Slur Against SP Spokesperson in TV Debate, Apologizes After Facing Massive Backlash

New Delhi- A heated argument between Delhi University professor Sangeet Kumar Ragi and Samajwadi Party spokesperson Manoj Kaka on ABP News' show 'Maha Dangal' on November 3 has snowballed into a major political and social controversy. The debate on the show, anchored by Chitra Tripathi, was supposed to focus on statements made by Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham, but it quickly descended into personal attacks and casteist abuses.

The controversy began with a remark by Dhirendra Shastri concerning Ram and Krishna, which SP spokesperson Manoj Kaka strongly opposed. On the other side, Professor Ragi defended Shastri, saying he had not said anything wrong. During the altercation, Manoj Kaka targeted Ragi, calling him a "government-protected first-class donkey" and "absurd." In response, Ragi lost his temper and used extremely objectionable and casteist language on live national television.

Posting the video going viral on social media, RJD spokesperson Priyanka Bharti wrote, "A lecherous man like Sangeet Ragi abused the entire Yadav community today. When I had forced this lecherous man to tremble in the studio, some self-proclaimed liberals used to call my words indecorous. The friends of such lecherous men are present everywhere. They will object to your language, but will maintain friendship with him!"

Unsurprisingly, an uproar erupted immediately after this indecorous remark. The Yadav community and opposition leaders opened a front against Ragi, demanding strict action against him. Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak termed Ragi a "foul-mouthed Sanghi" and said that this remark has exposed his baseness.

Meanwhile, journalist Meena Kotwal demanded that a case be registered against Ragi and that he be expelled from Delhi University.

SP spokesperson Manoj Kaka described the incident as a result of Ragi's "caste arrogance." At the same time, some people also criticized anchor Chitra Tripathi for not intervening adequately to stop the abusive language.

It is worth noting that Professor Sangeet Ragi is a former head of the Department of Political Science at Delhi University and is often seen on TV debates advocating the ideology of the BJP and RSS. He is also the author of books such as 'RSS and Gandhi.' The use of such street-level language by a senior academic has raised serious questions about the continuously declining standards of TV debates.

As the controversy escalated, Professor Ragi posted a clarification and apology on the social media platform 'X.' He wrote that he reacted after Manoj Kaka repeatedly insulted him by calling him a "donkey" and "absurd." Ragi clarified that the use of the word "Ahir" in his statement was only intended as a "rhyme" (sahchar) and that he did not intend to target the entire community. He clarified that it was aimed at those hurling abuses, but if it has hurt anyone's sentiments, he apologizes for it.