The suspicious suicide of a Dalit girl student in Central University Karnataka has sparked a serious debate on caste discrimination, administrative negligence and social inequality in educational institutions.
Suspicious suicide of Dalit girl student in Central University Karnataka raises questions, allegations of discrimination
Kalburgi: The alleged suicide of 20-year-old Dalit student Jayashree Nayak of Odisha has raised serious questions about the academic environment and treatment of underprivileged communities in Central University Karnataka (CUK).
The body of the girl student was found in a hostel room located in the university campus. Activists have alleged that the administration broke the door of the room without informing the police, which has increased the possibility of tampering with evidence.
Protests have intensified in the university over the incident, while allegations of caste discrimination over the suspicious death of the Dalit girl have made the atmosphere even more sensitive.
Serious allegations of systematic discrimination
- Nandakumar, former president of the Ambedkar Students’ Association of the central university and a student for 8 years, while talking to the media said that since the inception of the university, incidents of discrimination against Dalit students have been happening.
He said, “When a Dalit student committed suicide in 2017, we had a place to register protest. But for the last 3-4 years, even the right to protest has been taken away. Today, if we raise our voice, an FIR is lodged against us.”
Nandakumar also alleged that earlier the Scheduled Caste/Tribe (SC/ST) Cell used to give financial assistance of ₹20,000 to Dalit students presenting research papers at national and international forums, which has now been stopped.
“Book banks, computer facilities and assistance for preparing for competitive exams are no longer available. The OBC cell is also closed. SC scholars are now charged the same fees as general students. A caste column has been added to the attendance register. Press releases say that SC/ST students are entitled to free accommodation and food, but in reality they are charged rent and fees, which are refunded only after protests,” he said.
He also said the university had installed the Saraswati statue before the Ambedkar statue, which is in violation of Article 28(1) of the Constitution prohibiting religious symbols in educational institutions.
Reaction of civil society and social activists
Former Karnataka Backward Classes Commission chairman Dwarakanath C.S. also raised concerns over discrimination against Dalit students. He said he was once prevented from delivering a speech on Dr. Ambedkar on the university campus.
He said, “We went there on the invitation of Dalit students, where we were only allowed to offer garlands to Ambedkar’s statue, but were not allowed to speak on their views. Many students told us that they are under mental stress due to caste discrimination. Now the government and the university administration should take this suicide seriously.”
Kalaburagi-based social activist K. Neela alleged that the university has been adopting an anti-women and anti-minority stance in recent years.
University administration’s stand
Reacting to these allegations, Vice Chancellor Prof. Battu Satyanarayan rejected all allegations of caste or gender discrimination.
He said, “It is absolutely wrong to say that the university is anti-women. We have more girl students than boys. We give equal opportunity to all students and fully implement the admission process under the reservation system.”
He clarified that no caste column has been added in the attendance register and caste/class information is taken only during the admission process, so that reservation rules can be followed.
Speaking on the suicide case, the Vice Chancellor said, “When the door of the student’s room did not open, the security personnel thought she might be alive and might need immediate treatment, so they broke the door. When her death was confirmed, the police was immediately informed and then her parents were informed. The family told us that the student had some health problems beforehand.”
Demand for independent investigation intensifies
Although the university administration has given clarification, student organizations and activists are demanding that there should be an independent and impartial investigation into the student’s death. Also, all allegations of caste discrimination in the university should also be investigated.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy : Hindi News