Delhi University Principal Uses Cow Dung to Cool Classrooms, Sparks Heated Debate​

A viral video on the internet shows the principal of Delhi University's Laxmibai College plastering the walls of classrooms with cow dung, which resulted in extensive trolling on social media. She informed PTI that the initiative comprised one of the research projects currently under the charge of a faculty member. `Study of Heat Stress Control by Using Traditional Indian Knowledge,' she said, is still in process.

“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,” Pratyush Vatsala said.

The alleged video of the use of cow dung on classroom walls, it is said, was circulated in a WhatsApp group of teachers by the principal herself. In the video, Principal Pratyush Vatsala was seen applying the dung on the walls with the assistance of the staff, claiming to use indigenous methods to cool the classrooms in Block C.

Prof. Vijender Chauhan trains students preparing for the UPSC exams and questioned the employability of students from a college run by someone who endorses cow dung on the walls of classrooms.

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?”

One user wrote, "I would have appreciated her, if the walls have been built with mud and bricks, but what is the need of the cow dung to be used on the walls plastered with cement? If she was going to use the same technique for the whole campus, Then she should have started with the principal room."

Another user wrote, "If she is so interested in cow shit, she should plaster her entire house & not the classroom."

Using old traditional methods can sometimes help us protect the environment and live more sustainably. But when schools or colleges try these ideas, they must make sure they are based on proper science and are fair to everyone.

These efforts must be clearly explained and backed by facts. This way, people can understand how and why they work. Also, schools should make sure these practices respect the different backgrounds and beliefs of all students and teachers.

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