Distressed by the university's evasive attitude and non-compliance of the court's order, Dr. Ravi has also written a letter to President Draupadi Murmu on 23 May 2025, in which he gave details of his 20-year struggle. He told how the university controller had recommended paying the arrears from 2014 as per the court's order in 2020, but no action was taken.
Tirupati- On June 20, a picture emerged from the Dairy Technology College of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU), which once again exposed the caste discrimination deeply rooted in Indian educational institutions. In the picture, Dalit Assistant Professor Dr Ravi Varma was seen sitting on the floor of his office, working on his computer as his chair was removed by Associate Dean Ravindra Reddy.
This incident is just another humiliation for Dr Ravi, who has been fighting for respect, equal pay and justice in the institution for the last 20 years. He has been denied his rights despite court orders, UGC regulations and even the intervention of the President of India.
Two decades of discrimination
The period of institutional harassment and struggle for Dr Ravi began in 2005, when he was appointed as a contractual Assistant Professor in the Department of Dairy Technology. Despite doing the same work as permanent professors, he received a fraction of their salary, and his contract was renewed every six months with a break of 2-3 days—a strategy adopted to avoid giving job security to contractual employees.
In 2010, the University Grants Commission (UGC) made a rule that contractual teachers should get “equal pay for equal work”. When SVVU ignored this, Dr Ravi moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The university, in its response to the Andhra Pradesh High Court directions, said that Verma is not entitled to the salary suggested by the UGC, as he was not selected by a selection committee and also does not have the NET qualification required by the UGC.
This statement is contrary to the university’s actions in 2012 and 2013, when selections were made by waiving the NET qualification and regular pay scales suggested by the UGC were given. Even today, there are 5 assistant professors who do not have the minimum required qualification of NET, but are getting the benefit of regular pay scales with full allowances.
RTI documents reveal that between 2012-2013, SVVU appointed more than 150 faculty members without NET qualification, all of whom received full pay and promotions. In contrast, Dr Ravi remained stuck in a contractually restricted position – despite the Supreme Court’s 2016 “equal pay for equal work” judgment and repeated orders of the AP SC/ST Commission.
Despite the court order, the university did not comply following which Dr Verma also filed a contempt of court petition which is still being heard.
In October 2024, Dr Ravi met the Vice Chancellor and apprised him of his problems. The VC assured justice, but no action has been taken till date.
The incident of Dr Ravi working on the floor was a reminder of historical caste discrimination where Dalits were denied even basic respect. He took this step in protest against the policies of the institution.
According to university sources, the HoD had received a supply of new chairs and Dr Ravi was given a chair, but on June 19, when he was on a day off, Associate Dean Dr Reddy removed the chair, saying it was for another department. The next day the HoD placed a visitor chair in Dr Ravi’s office, but when he returned, he started working sitting on the floor in protest of the insult. The matter escalated until the VC and principal intervened and mediated. Sources say Dr Reddy apologised, but this is not confirmed.
Some faculty members believe that the removal of Dr Ravi’s chair was a deliberate act, especially in view of his 20-year struggle for equal pay and pending contempt proceedings against the university for disobeying judicial orders.
When the pictures went viral on social media, Bahujan organisations protested vehemently. The YSR Congress Party questioned Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, asking, “Why is a Dalit professor being treated like this in your government?”
Dismayed by the university’s evasive attitude and non-compliance of the court order, Dr. Ravi has also written a letter to President Draupadi Murmu on May 23, 2025, in which he gave details of his 20-year struggle. He told how the university controller had recommended in 2020 to give arrears from 2014 as per the court order, but no action was taken.
He wrote “I am not financially capable enough to keep fighting” and explained how this system exhausts the resources of academics from marginalized and deprived communities by engaging them in legal battles.
The Mooknayak has sought a response from the VC and Registrar on the university’s disregard of court orders. The report will be updated on receiving their response.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy : Hindi News