After the victim consumed sleeping pills, a syndicate meeting was held to protect the university's image from being tarnished, and it decided to issue the student's certificate.
Belagavi – Rani Channamma University (RCU) in Belagavi, Karnataka, subjected a Dalit PhD scholar to sexual harassment and caste discrimination. The university violated the scholar’s privacy by revealing her identity. Furthermore, the university withheld her degree, leading the 34-year-old researcher in the history department to attempt suicide by consuming more than 19 sleeping pills on the night of November 30th.
The victim had accused her guide of sexual harassment, but months of mental and caste-based harassment by the Vice Chancellor and Registrar following her complaint broke her down. The scholar, who is hospitalized, is now in stable condition, but following the controversy, the university announced on Thursday that she would be issued her degree.
The victim began her PhD in the History Department of RCU in November 2021. She submitted her thesis in March 2025, and the PhD notification was issued after the viva voce in May 2025. Despite completing all academic formalities, she was not awarded her degree at the recent convocation attended by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. The family claims this was deliberate because the scholar had accused her guide, Professor KLN Murthy, of sexual harassment.
In July 2025, the Internal Complaints Committee submitted its report, finding the allegations prima facie true. The Syndicate ordered an investigation and suspended Murthy in the preliminary report. However, the scholar later withdrew the complaint, citing mental instability. Subsequently, Registrar Santosh Kamgouda issued a show-cause notice, threatening to withhold her degree. The scholar considered this a threat. VC Professor Accusing CM Thyagaraja and the Registrar of caste discrimination, it was said that 26 other scholars (from different castes) were awarded degrees, but the Dalit scholar was targeted.
The scholar consumed 19 sleeping pills at her home in Chikkodi on Sunday evening. The family immediately rushed her to the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), where her condition stabilized after emergency treatment. A case was registered at the Chikkodi police station. The victim’s husband said, “I have two children. If anything happens to my wife, I will commit suicide on the university campus.”
University’s excuse: 3,000 rupees fee not paid
The university claimed that the degree was not withheld, but rather that the certificate was lost due to non-payment of the 3,000 rupees convocation fee. However, journalists showed proof of online payment, which baffled the VC and Registrar. On Thursday, an emergency syndicate meeting was held, where it was decided that the degree would be issued on humanitarian grounds to avoid tarnishing the university’s image. VC Thyagaraj told reporters, “The Syndicate has resolved to issue the certificate to protect the university’s reputation.” He also ordered Murthy’s compulsory retirement on charges of mental harassment.
However, no clarification was given on the caste-based allegations and denied them. Officials were unable to provide a satisfactory answer to questions about revealing the scholar’s identity in the sexual complaint. The Registrar described the show-cause notice as “mere clarification.” The incident sparked anger among student organizations in Belagavi. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar discussed the issue.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy: Hindi News