Former DUTA chief Aditya Narayan Mishra joined the Congress and called it a “crisis” in education

Former DUTA president Aditya Narayan Mishra (fourth from left) and others join the Congress in Delhi on September 14, 2026. | Photo credit: X/@INCDelhi

Former Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) president Aditya Narayan Mishra, who headed the teaching staff three times, on Monday (September 14, 2026) joined the Congress along with some other academics, saying that the country’s education system is facing a serious crisis.

The Academics for Action and Development (AAD) organization was also formally merged with the Congress.

Mr Mishra joined the party in the presence of Delhi Congress in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Devender Yadav, AICC Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam and other party leaders. He also served as the president of the Federation of Central University Teachers’ Associations.

Welcoming Mr Mishra and other academics, Mr Nizamuddin said their association was significant at a time when questions were being raised about the state of education and cases of violence against students were being reported. He said that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has consistently fought for justice for students and that the intellectual contribution of the new entrants will strengthen the Congress.

Today the Congress is in charge in Delhi @ghazinizamuddin Yes, Delhi Congress President @devendrayadvinc Yes, the Uttar Pradesh Congress is in charge @AdvRajendraPal In the presence of other dignitaries including renowned Delhi University professor Aditya Narayan Mishra, many intellectuals including Congress… pic.twitter.com/sI7WGNEgpw

— Delhi Congress (@INCDelhi) September 14, 2026

Mr Yadav said the country’s youth and students needed “proper leadership and guidance”, adding that better leadership was essential to secure the country’s future.

Mr. Gautam said the decision to join the Congress was aimed at protecting democracy, the constitution and the education system. He said that Mr. Mishra constantly raised the concerns of professors and students.

Mr. Gautam also alleged that crores of rupees were spent on BJP-RSS programs at Delhi University and said the money could have been used instead to build hostels and prevent incidents like the recent Satya Niketan collapse.

Mr Mishra said he and his colleagues joined the Congress to “strengthen the hands of Rahul Gandhi”. Government educational institutions across the country have been “under attack”, he said, adding that thousands of schools have been closed.

“Rahul Gandhi is fighting for the support of government-funded institutions as well as justice and dignity for everyone,” Mishra said. He said the education system was “collapsing”, adding that he and his colleagues had joined the fight to help pull the country out of crisis.

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Published – 14 Sep 2026 20:17 IST