NIT Durgapur students dance to Chikni Chameli, professor asks 'is this a joke?'

A group of students at NIT Durgapur was dancing to Chikni Chameli during a freshers' induction programme when a professor interrupted the performance and questioned whether such a dance had been approved.NIT Durgapur students dance to Chikni Chameli (Photos: Gourob Roy/Instagram) A professor at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Durgapur objected to a group of students dancing to Chikni Chameli during a freshers’ induction programme, questioning whether the performance had been approved by their faculty advisors.A video of the episode from NIT Durgapur has gone viral on social media after it was posted by education consultant Gourob Roy on Instagram.The students were dancing to the song in the auditorium as fellow students cheered when the professor intervened.Enraged, she questioned the students regarding their dance performance on stage, saying: “Have you taken approval before showing this kind of dance here? Is it a joke? Is it an introduction? Entertainment? You people better know the class.” Some students made an attempt to speak to her, but she continued, “Where is your faculty advisor? In front of juniors, you are dancing to these songs? Why are your faculty advisors not present? Was it approved?”The auditorium fell silent following her remarks. Watch the video here:In the comments section of the post, some users supported the professor while others criticised the way she handled the situation.Several users felt that the song was inappropriate for an official institute programme. One user argued that every official activity reflects an institution’s “values, culture, and standards” and said such choices could influence how parents and prospective students perceive the institute.Another user recalled similar restrictions during their college days, saying a professor would often cancel dances and plays prepared for college fests over jokes or songs that were considered inappropriate.Some took a stricter view, arguing that students could dance to any song at freshers’ or farewell events but should avoid doing so in front of teachers.However, others felt the professor had overreacted. One user said NIT Durgapur professors “overreact a bit” but agreed that the song may not have been suitable for an induction programme.Another questioned why students should be restricted in their choice of song, asking, “Are they school children? Why can't they dance to any song? It's their function to enjoy.”The debate also brought criticism of what some users described as moral policing. One user said the dance may have been vulgar but felt the professor should have addressed the students privately instead of making a public issue of it.“They would lose the zeal and confidence to continue further,” the user said, criticising the manner in which the objection was raised.Others, however, strongly supported the professor’s intervention, with one user calling it a “good job” and saying that “provocative dances” should be stopped at such events.- EndsPublished On: Aug 26, 2026 12:31 IST