In a shocking incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a second-year engineering student at a private college in Bheemili, Visakhapatnam, assaulted a woman lecturer by striking her with a slipper during class hours. The incident occurred after the lecturer confiscated the student’s mobile phone for speaking loudly during a lecture on April 22, 2025.

The confrontation quickly escalated, and the student, reportedly enraged over the confiscation, lashed out violently in front of fellow classmates. A video of the incident was recorded and circulated on social media, drawing sharp condemnation from netizens, educators, and civil society groups.

Despite the intensity of public backlash, the college administration refrained from taking strict disciplinary action against the student. According to sources, the decision followed an emotional plea from the student’s parents and the lecturer’s reported decision not to file a formal police complaint.

However, the Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Women and various student organizations have called for immediate intervention. “This incident is not just about disrespecting a teacher—it’s about the failure to uphold basic discipline and safety in our educational institutions,” said a representative from the commission.

The college has stated that internal counseling will be provided to both parties and that additional awareness programs on student-teacher respect will be introduced.

Meanwhile, the teaching community across Visakhapatnam has voiced concerns over increasing incidents of indiscipline and has demanded stronger protective measures for educators. Several lecturers from neighboring colleges have expressed solidarity with the victim and are planning a peaceful demonstration demanding institutional accountability.

This troubling event raises urgent questions about classroom decorum, youth behavior, and the role of educational institutions in enforcing respectful conduct.