Caste-based discrimination in higher education | Representative image | Photo courtesy: Special arrangement
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Deepa is just one of countless other Dalit students who have faced caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. The rising number of IIT suicides in recent times is a testament to the challenges these students encounter. Apart from caste-based discrimination, financial adversities were only a part of the challenges Deepa faced during her educational journey.
“Despite a two-member committee from the university confirming the truth of my allegations against Professor Nandakumar Kalarikkal, no action was taken against him. I raised my voice for years, and when nothing changed, that's when I decided to embark on a hunger strike, demanding justice,” shares Deepa.
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Deepa undertook an 11-day hunger strike to protest against caste-based discrimination by the Director of IIUCNN. For many years, she has been tenaciously fighting against the university for discriminatory practices. Throughout this time, she has sought help from various avenues. Her pleas were directed to her college, university, local police, the state's women's commission, human rights commission, the SC/ST commission and the judiciary.
Deepa Mohanan on a hunger strike in 2021 against caste-based discrimination in higher education | Photo courtesy: Special arrangement
“After reaching out to the Kerala State Women’s Commission, they summoned me for inquiries on four occasions but never called him even once. Their report merely stated that they had tried to contact him, but he didn't respond, and subsequently, the case was closed. Now, my hope lies with the court, and I am determined to fight until the man who tormented me faces consequences,” asserts Deepa.
Another student, pursuing his PhD from the Department of Political Science at Delhi University, also works as a guest faculty for postgraduate students. In both roles, as a student and a teacher, he has confronted caste-based discrimination. "After completing my graduation, master's degree, and MPhil, I decided to pursue my PhD. After entering these higher educational institutions, now I fully comprehend the layers of discrimination. Students and research scholars like me encounter multiple discriminations, especially because we hail from the Dalit community and dream of pursuing higher education. I've personally endured this. My earlier education was primarily in Hindi, so transitioning to an English medium institution intensified the discrimination. Such biases are also evident in the realm of university employment today."
He points out the intricate relationship between language and caste-based discrimination. He believes the English language becomes a significant barrier in higher education. "Those from non-English educational backgrounds are often marginalised and left out of mainstream knowledge avenues. In contrast, students from English-medium institutions generally wield more influence over their vernacular-educated peers, both inside and outside the classroom. Being from a lower caste, I encountered discrimination at various levels.”
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The rising number of caste-based discrimination and suicides in these institutions is deeply concerning. The HRD Minister recently revealed that over 19,000 students from SC, ST, and OBC categories withdrew from central universities, IITs, and IIMs between 2018 and 2023. According to government data, there have been 33 student suicides in IITs across India since 2018. Among the three premier educational institutions – the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the National Institute of Technology (NIT), and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) – IITs witnessed the highest number of student suicides.
N Sukumar, a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Delhi, is also the author of "Caste Discrimination And Exclusion In Indian Universities." His book sheds light on the pervasive caste-based discrimination within the Indian higher education system. Professor Sukumar emphasises that, without significant reforms, the nation will continue to witness a rise in tragic incidents, much like the series of IIT suicides.
"Masters students and research scholars encounter distinctive challenges. From unfair grading practices to fostering a hostile classroom environment, the issues are manifold. Other concerns include faculty not endorsing fellowship forms or allocating adequate time for student interaction. It's disheartening to see that many academic opportunities presented within the classroom are often denied to Dalit students. Once a teacher becomes aware of a student's reservation background, their attitude shifts dramatically. I'm familiar with countless instances where teachers target, insult, and openly malign these students," Sukumar elucidates.
Caste-based discrimination remains a deeply entrenched issue in India's higher education system. Even with legal frameworks and institutional safeguards, the problem persists in various manifestations. “Through your platform, I urge the government to conduct a comprehensive social audit of premier institutions like the IITs, IIMs, Indian Institutes of Science, and other major higher educational establishments. Without robust data, it's challenging to implement effective policy changes. The pressing need of the hour is a meticulous social audit encompassing these universities. Additionally, we require legislation to curb caste-based discrimination in higher education. The current SC/ST cell, intended to address these concerns, unfortunately is a toothless body. It's imperative that these cells be empowered further,” states Prof Sukumar.
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