A classroom disagreement between an IIT Delhi professor and a quiet student turned into a powerful lesson in empathy and courage. The student, initially thought to be defiant, later revealed he was trying to overcome his fear of speaking up. Anand’s viral post reminded readers that questions aren’t threats, and staying open is a sign of true intelligence.
Photo : iStock
What began as a seemingly tense exchange between an IIT Delhi professor and a student turned into a meaningful lesson on empathy and quiet courage.
In a LinkedIn post that has since gone viral, IIT Delhi professor Mridul Anand recounted an incident from his classroom that started off as a disagreement but left him with a lasting impression.
“The past two years of teaching at my alma mater, IIT Delhi, had felt like a quiet triumph. Until one day, a heated argument with a student changed that,” Anand began his post.
He explained that a typically disengaged student suddenly started participating during a lecture. While Anand was initially pleased, his perception soon shifted.
“One Monday, midway through the semester, a student who had barely shown any interest so far raised his hand. ‘Yes!’ As a teacher, it’s very satisfying to see a disengaged student finally take interest,” he wrote.
However, as the student continued to ask questions — many of which had already been addressed — Anand found himself wondering if the student was genuinely curious or trying to test him. Despite the rising tension, he kept responding.
“The exchange lasted 20 minutes,” Anand noted, sharing that even his smartwatch detected his stress. “The exchange lasted 20 minutes. Even my smartwatch had had enough; it flashed: ‘Alert: Abnormal heart rate!’ Taking the hint, I wrapped up and suggested we continue after class. But when it ended, he just packed his bag and walked out.”
Feeling irritated, Anand initially decided to dock participation marks. But what happened next changed his perspective.
In the following class, the student approached him outside and admitted he had always struggled to speak up. He explained that he had recently been rejected in a placement group discussion for being too quiet and had mustered the courage to finally engage — choosing Anand’s class to do so.
“What I saw as defiance was, in fact, courage,” Anand reflected, recognizing how quickly we can misinterpret intent, especially when we feel challenged. “It’s strange how quickly questions can feel like threats. Happens all the time, at work, at home.”
He ended his post with a reminder to stay open-minded in difficult conversations. “Questions aren’t attacks. The smartest thing isn’t always being right, but staying open, especially when it’s hardest to.”
The post resonated widely, with many on social media applauding Anand’s vulnerability and the student’s bravery. One user expressed how moved they were by the story and appreciated the environment Anand had created for open expression.
“We need more teachers in academia like you, Mridul Anand! You share your thought process openly, and the student’s situation, along with the ‘bigger-picture insights,’ is great,” a commenter wrote.
