The Bhim Army Students Federation has launched a protest against the caste discrimination and mental harassment of an M.Ed. student at Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University, leveling serious allegations against the administration and police.
Lucknow: Student organizations, led by the Bhim Army Students Federation (BASF), have launched a protest to secure justice for Prema Devi, a Dalit M.Ed. (session 2024-26) student studying in the Department of Teacher Education at Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur, with the support of the AISA student organization. As soon as the student organizations joined the protest, the police administration turned the entire campus into a cantonment, but the Bhim Army Students Federation remained firm on its demands and launched a vigorous protest.
The Bhim Army Students Federation (BASF) submitted a detailed memorandum to the Vice Chancellor of the University, demanding strict action against the accused teachers. Student leaders accused the university administration of suppressing the ongoing cases of caste-based harassment and discrimination on campus.
During the memorandum, Hemant Vidyarthi, District Coordinator of the Bhim Army Students Federation, stated that this is not the first case at the university, and that many previous instances of caste-based discrimination and administrative neglect have been reported against researchers and students. He alleged that whenever students raise their voices for their rights, the administration, instead of showing sensitivity, attempts to hush up the cases.
During the protest, student leader Sachin Chandra stated that the Vice Chancellor is showing no urgency in providing justice to Prema Devi. Meanwhile, Abhishek Comrade, in his address, stated that casteism is rampant in the university and that if the victim does not receive justice, this place will be turned into Jantar Mantar.
The organization has issued a strong warning that if the victim, Prema Devi, does not receive immediate justice, this fight will be escalated into a massive public movement from the university campus to the entire state.
According to the complaint submitted by the victim, she was selected fourth in her class in the entrance examination, yet the Head of Department, Dr. Tanuja Bhatt, publicly discredited her by claiming that she had received admission through pleading. The student also alleges that teacher Dr. Vimal Singh targeted her with abusive language in class.
The complaint further states that during the farewell ceremony, she was publicly humiliated, caste-based remarks were made that were derogatory to her dignity, and threats were made to ruin her future. The student alleges that when she protested, she was subjected to biased evaluation of answer sheets and undue pressure was exerted to enroll in mid-term examinations, contrary to the rules. Despite a previous complaint to the then Head of Department, Dr. Rashmi Gore, and the internal committee, an attempt was made to suppress the matter instead of conducting an impartial investigation.
The memorandum submitted to the Vice Chancellor places a number of key demands. The first demand is that, given the sensitivity of the matter, an immediate administrative inquiry be initiated against the Head of Department, Dr. Tanuja Bhatt, and if the allegations are proven, legal action should be taken under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The second demand states that, for a fair and transparent investigation, the accused teachers be removed from their current positions and an independent inquiry committee be formed, with no direct or indirect interest in the matter. The third demand calls for an independent review of the student’s answer sheets, internal marks, and evaluation records by impartial experts.
The fourth and final demand calls for ensuring that any form of retaliatory action or psychological pressure against the student is completely prevented during the investigation process and that her legitimate academic rights are fully protected.
Sachin Chandra, Abhishek, Kartik, Swarnkant, Rajesh, Amarkant, Riya, Neelam, Asha, Savita, and Govind, along with many other students, were present during the demonstration and memorandum program.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News