Caste violence in Dr.Ambedkar Law College, Chennai – A Report

“When we are studying, they try to disturb us. When we are appearing for exams, they prevent us. When we are in hostel, they trouble us. When we ask for the rights from the college administration, the officials ignore us.” This is what is happening in Ambedkar Law College, Chennai for years. For so long, the Dalit students were tolerant to the maximum, and maintained the order of not entering into violent retaliations against the provocative caste Hindu students. The caste Hindu student’s primary motive was to prevent dalit students in appearing for the exams further endangering their future who come from impoverished background.

History has diarized the oppressive practices of caste Hindus particularly in rural areas. The Dalits in rural areas are still facing the problem of untouchability for which they could not react due to the dependency on caste Hindus for livelihood. For these rural Dalits, education alone shall become the panacea for their suffering. Hence, Dalit students migrate to colleges in cities for social dignity, and better job opportunities. Now they are wonder struck with the hegemonies attitudes of caste Hindu students who find all possible ways to prevent and hamper their progress.

Violent attack on Dalit students by caste hindu students:

The caste Hindu students have been consistently attacking dalit students in Dr.Ambedkar Law College, and in law college hostel. On 12^th November 2008 at Dr.Ambedkar Law College Chennai, group of the students reportedly belonging to the Thevar/Yadavar caste attacked the Dalit students. This incident aired on all leading news channels. One Dalit student was severely injured when a Thevar student attacked him with a dagger. Immediately the Dalit students reacted to the brutal act of caste hindu students.

The clashes between the caste hindu students and Dalit students have become customary in Dr.Ambedkar Law College, chennai. The violence among students has escalated to a larger scale after the formation of a caste based organisation “Mukkulathor Manvar Peravai” in college with the help of caste hindu leaders (Mr.Seenisami Thevar, Mr.Ramakrishna Thevar, and Mr.Sridhar vandiyar). Whilst the politically backed Muthuramalingam Thevar birth celebration in Tamil Nadu, the Mukkulathor Manavar Peravai (MMP) celebrated inside the college on 30^th October 2008. The MMP students, in commemoration of Muthuramalingam Thevar, published pamphlets, and simultaneously insulted dalit students by truncating name of the college and wrote “Chennai Law College” in their pamphlets instead of Dr.Ambedkar Law College. Such a provocative act of MMP students infuriated Dalit students. The Dalit students demanded MMP students to include the full name of college in pamphlets/posters. The MMP students immediately started beating Dalit students, and threatened not to appear for exams. The problem continued further, and hampered the Dalit students to prepare and appear for exams.

Examination started on 5^th November 2008 in Dr.Ambedkar law College, Chennai. Bharathi kannan, Arumugam, Ayyadurai, and other MMP students wandered around the college premises with deadly weapons and threatened Dalit students not to appear in examinations.

On 7^th November, MMP students attacked Dalit students (Meganathan, Sivaraj, Raja, Chithirai Selvan, and Ezhumalai) in broadway bus stand for appearing in exams. Bharathi kannan, leader of MMP, along with Arumugam, Ayyadurai and Vijay attacked with deadly weapons out of which, Ezhumalai was severely injured on head. He was later admitted in General Hospital for treatment. Many students refused to appear for the exams due to fear of attack by MMP students.

The following days, the MMP students planned for a mass attack against Dalit students. The Dalit students immediately sought for protection from the college authorities. However, as usual, the college authorities took no interest on the complaint. Hence, considering all these threats and attacks senior Dalit students organized and took responsibility of preventing clashes among students during the examination process. The college authorities were well informed by the dalit senior students about the precarious situation.

On 12^th November, dalit students went to appear for the exams at Dr.Ambedkar Law College, Chennai. Bharathi kannan and Arumugam, as per their plan, came by bike with weapons, and waited near high court new chamber building for Ayyadurai. In the mean time, Ayyadurai came out of exam hall and was attacked by Dalit students. After realizing that Ayyadurai was not carrying deadly weapons, the Dalit students comforted him.

Earlier at around 1.00 pm Bharathi kannan communicated to his team to be alert and take positions for attacking dalit students. Mr.Gopal, a retired employee from Kalapakkam automic energy station, noticed Bharathi kannan sharpening a dagger. In the meantime principal handed over a petition to B2 Espalande Police station to provide protection for students in the college briefing about a possible clash among students. Police officials took no immediate actions on this issue. Rather, the police suggested the principal to contact BSP state convenor for intervention. According to sources, the police had a plan of arresting BSP leader under this situation due to the pressure of caste based organizations.

Bharathi kannan, and Arumugam entered the campus from jumping over the law college-high court compound wall. Arumugam ran towards Chithiraiselvan, who was earlier attacked by MMP students several times. Arumugam, with his dagger, attacked Chithiraiselvan. After the attack, Dalit students ran for his help and retaliated in support of Chithiraiselvan. Further, Bharathi kannan took his dagger out and attacked Chithiraiselvan. Chithiraiselvan received attacks on his head, and lost one of his ears during the clash.

Dalit students infuriated with wounds of chithiraiselvan attacked bharathi kannan and arumugam with sticks in order for preventing assault as may reasonably cause the apprehension that death will otherwise be consequence of such assault. Bharathi kannan, in order to escape the attack, intentionally fell near the gate. It is also to be noted that Bharathi kannan has given a statement to Nakeeran, a popular Tamil magazine, that he deliberately fell near the gate in order to prevent further attack from Dalit students.

The police personnel who were watching the whole incident were present ever since Bharathi kannan jumped out of court compound wall to enter college and ran with dagger to attack Chithiraiselvan. They took no action to prevent the violence.

The police arrested 27 dalit students and 14 caste Hindu students. Out of 27 Dalit students, 17 are imprisoned in Puzhal prison, and 10 are in Saidapet sub jail. Chithiraiselvan was admitted to Royapettah General Hospital, and arrested under sections 147, 148, 307, 506(2) (Attempt to murder) of the IPC. He is under plastic surgery treatment of damaged ears.

Section 506(2) was invoked upon Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam. So far they have not been arrested due to the strong political and caste based organization support. According to sources, Trichy Siva, Member of Parliament, has been constantly supporting Bharathi Kannan in his activities.

Gokul Raj, who is neither a student of Dr.Ambedkar Law College nor involved in the incident, was arrested when he told the police that he is a Dalit student from Tirupathi Law College.

History of violent attacks on dalit students in Dr.Ambedkar Law College:

The caste Hindu students were constantly harassing Dalit students in the college hostel at Purasawakkam, Chennai. On many occasions, the caste hindu students refused to share rooms with Dalit students and demanded for separate Backward Class hostel to college authorities. Few months back, Bharathi Kannan brought more than 50 rowdies into the college campus to attack Dalit students. The Dalit students immediately reported to B2 police station to take legal actions against Bharathi kannan and others. The police took no interest in the case, and no action was taken against the perpetrators. The college authorities too were reluctant in considering the case, and ignored out rightly. Bharathi kannan has been involved in several criminal cases. However, so far no action was taken by college authorities and police officials.

Induced retaliation by Dalits against caste Hindu students

The dalit students were repeatedly attacked by MMP students. Dr.Ambedkar Law College has a gruesome history on caste based violence perpetuated by MMP students against dalit students. Throughout, dalit students were highly tolerant and took all peaceful measures to overcome caste discriminations and caste based violence. The dalit students of Dr.Ambedkar Law College have periodically reported to the police station, college authorities, and adhered to peaceful approaches to prevent caste violence. None of the dalit students have any criminal cases against them so far unlike MMP students. The dalit students hail from poor rural families of Tamil Nadu, and have very good track record in their respective villages.

The MMP students wanted to extend their domination in Dr.Ambedkar Law College, and tried all violent ways to prevent dalit students from pursuing their education. The reactionary act of dalit students are just an outcome of the persistent attack on them perpetuated by MMP students. The dalit students on 12^th November attacked Bharathi kannan, Arumugam, and Ayyadurai in order for preventing further violence as these three already stabbed dalit students with daggers with the intention of killing them. The dalit students pleaded in all legal measures before attacking the MMP students. Since, the police and college authority failed to prevent violence among students, the Dalit students were forced to retaliate attacks against MMP students.

A significant part in the clash is that the dalit students never used deadly weapons unlike the MMP students. Even though the dagger was taken away from Bharathi kannan and Arumugam, none of the Dalit students used dagger for attacking the MMP students.

Anti-Dalit campaign by media, and caste Hindu activists:

Some of the caste Hindu dominated media has been repeatedly using news channels against Dalit students. The video clippings are highly biased, and communicate only the reactionary and defensive acts of victimized Dalit students who were assaulted. The constant violence carried by MMP students, and attack by Bharathi kannan and Arumugam that has lead to the violent clash has totally been removed. Rather, the Dalit students were portrayed by the media as the perpetrators.

The MMP students have very strong political hold, and enjoy support from caste based organizations in Tamil Nadu. AIADMK announced fasting on 23^rd November which is conducted by students of the party. AIADMK requested party members, students, and public to take action against Dalit students for attacking Bharathi kannan and Arumugam.

Wide scale protest witnessed in many districts by the backward class organizations to take action against dalit students. Nearly about 22 public transports were damaged by the violent protest. Political parties such as DMK and ADMK have raised issues against the Dalit students in assembly. Posters portraying against Dalit students by caste Hindu organizations has been witnessed in many districts of Tamil Nadu.

Demands and Recommendations:

1. Demand for the release all 27 Dalit students from prison under IPC section 100, 102 and 81. Dalit students were not having any intention of harming MMP students. In order to prevent further attacks from MMP students, the Dalit students attacked. The right of private defense used by Dalits students against MMP students was due to the act of MMP students which does reasonably cause the apprehension of death or of grievous hurt, and that there was no time to have recourse to the protection of the public authorities. If the Dalit students had the intention of killing the MMP students, they would have brought deadly weapons or grabbed the daggers from MMP students and would have attacked.

According to section 100, the Right of private defense of the body extends, under the restrictions mentioned in the last preceding sections, to the voluntary causing of death or of any harm to the assailant if the offense which occasions the exercise of the right be of any of the descriptions hereinafter enumerated namely:-

i. Such an assault as may reasonably cause the apprehension that death will otherwise be consequence of such assault

ii. Such an assault as may reasonably cause the apprehension that grievous hurt will otherwise be consequence of such assault.

According to IPC section 102, the right of private defence continues as long as such apprehension of danger to the body continues.

According to IPC section 81, Act likely to cause harm but done without criminal intent and to prevent other harm – Nothing is an offence merely by reason of its being done with the knowledge that it is likely to cause harm, if it be done without any criminal intention to cause harm, and in good faith for the purpose of preventing or avoiding other harm to person or property.

2. Immediate release of Gokul Raj who is neither a student of Dr.Ambedkar Law College nor connected to the incident. There was no common object between Gokul Raj and dalit students of Dr.Ambedkar Law College. Mere presence at the scene of rioting does not make a person an offender under the offence of rioting. Gokul Raj has neither common object nor taken some active participation in such offence. He was neither armed with deadly weapon of offence nor with anything which is used as a weapon of offence. Hence, Section 147 and 148 should be revoked upon him.

3. Invoke IPC section 147 and 148 upon Mukkulathur Manavar Peravai students who had come with 40 rowdies to attack dalit students. They carried armed weapons for the purpose of injuring and killing dalit students who came for appearing exams.

4. Invoke IPC section 120A and 120B against Bharathi Kannan, Arumugam, and Ayyadurai on criminal conspiracy with the intention killing dalit students who appear exams.

5. Revoke IPC section 147 and 148 upon Dalit students as they have only exercised the right of private defence, which is acceptable under IPC section 100. The right of private defence used by dalits students against MMP students was due to the act of MMP students which does reasonably cause the apprehension of death or of grievous hurt, and that there was no time to have recourse to the protection of the public authorities. The Dalit students were not having any “common object” of criminal force as stated in IPC section 141 (Unlawful assembly).

6. The authorities of Dr.Ambedkar Law College should impose ban on Mukkulathur Manavar Peravai, and prevent functioning inside college premises

7. Financial support to all 27 dalit students to be extended for facing expenses, and loss incurred due to arrest as all these students hail from socially and economically poor families.

8. Dismissal of Bharathi Kannan, Arumugam, and Ayyadurai from Dr.Ambedkar Law College for their criminal records. There are many criminal cases against them.

9. Register case against Bharathi kannan, Arumugam, and ayyadurai under the SC/ST (Preventions of atrocities) Act, 1989 under section 3(1) (ii), (x) for acts with intent to cause injury and insult upon Dalit students, and intentionally intimidate dalit students. The three students have already been registered previously under the SC/ST (Preventions of atrocities) Act, 1989

10. Provide protection to all 27 Dalit students if they avail conditional or unconditional bail. It is speculated that the caste based organizations are planning to attack Dalit students if the later is released from prison.

11. Bharathi Kannan, Arumugam and Ayyadurai to be arrested under IPC section 307 as they had the motive and intention for killing. They attacked Chithiraiselvan and others with the intention of killing them with a dagger that is shown in all media. Chithiraiselvan in this attack lost one of his ears, and now under treatment in Royapettah General Hospital.

12. Arrest Bharathi Kannan, Arumugam and Ayyadurai under IPC section 150 in hiring of persons to join unlawful assembly for attacking Dalit students

13. Action against MMP students for damaging college properties while attacking Dalit students.

14. Actions against MMP students for abusing national leader Dr.Ambedkar, and in continuation ban the MMP. Such a derogatory act of MMP students on our father of Indian Constitution is not only obnoxious but also punishable.

15. Prevent caste hindu leaders in sponsoring for perpetuating violence against Dalits

16. While visiting Puzhal prison and Saidapet sub jail, the dalit students requested for release, and appear in exams. Special arrangements should be made by Dr.Ambedkar Law College for Dalit students, and others who were prevented to appear for the examination. During such process, enough protection should be given to all students, irrespective of their castes, by college authorities and police while appearing exams, and also in hostel premises.

Team

1. Tamizhinian, Advocate Chennai High Court

2. Umanathan, Sakya Foundation

3. Veeramani, Research Scholar, JNU

4. Gauthama Prabhu, Social activist

Incidents of violence at D.Ambedkar Law College,Chennai

Dear Friends,

This is a fact finding report into the current caste conflict in Chennai. The purpose is to muster quick support to the  Dalit students involved because they are just feeling helpless. If any of you (including organizations) wish to come forward, you may contact me. My contact is +91 9820216146.

- Anand  Teltumbde

The Facts behind the Incidents of violence at Chennai

Dr. Ambedkar Law College.

The incident of violence on 12.11.2008 at Dr.Ambedkar Law College has shaken the conscience of every body.  This incident  surely needs to be condemned.  The reason behind the submission of details herein is to bring out the facts behind the incidents of violence at a law college that we all believe is to produce future judges and socially conscious lawyer.

That clashes take place in the law college is not a new phenomena. We are shaken thoroughly to know the details of the brewing tension over the past four years that has broken out violently today. “Thevar Peravai” that functions with its headquarters at Chennai has been concentrating, specifically targeting the Thevar community students from the southern districts of Tamilnadu. It functions primarily in whipping up the passions and utilizes them for their vested parochial goals. With these students a casteist organization named ‘ Mukkulothor Student’s Federation” has already been formed. The main objective of this organization is to target and attack the Dalits. And they also raise queries like while all other 4 govt. law colleges are named as Govt.law college, why should the Chennai law college be named after Dr.Ambedkar and called Dr.Ambedkar law college. Since Dr.Ambedkar is a Dalit this name should be changed. This is their contention for their past 4 years. They do not use Ambedkar’s name in any of their advertisement and mention it only as ‘Chennai Law College’.

Such activities has raised unnecessary discomfiture amonsgtthe dalit students and raised a sense of hatred between the communities. In all these issues Bharathi Kannan, belonging to Mukkulathor Student Federation is the prime culprit. In the recent past,( in 6 months duration) Bharathi Kannan was waiting with five of his friends with swords in hand prowling to kill atleast tow Dalit boys. Police came to know of this and arrested him red handed with 3 long swords in their possession. But they were released without any complaints been filed against them. Though the college authorities were in the know of his activities it did not make any efforts to curb him. In the same manner he with his friends went and attacked the students of Dr.Ambedkar Law college residing in hostel at Millers road, Kilpauk. The Principal did not take any action. At least there are 17 cases including attempt to murder, pending on Bharathi Kannan.

In this circumstance on ‘30^th October’ during the Thevar Jayanthi the passion were whipped up. The poster prepared by Mukkulothor Students Federation expressed the re assertion of its casteist hierarchy, with usages avoiding Dr. Ambedkar’s name. Also they teased the Dalit students on that day. The Dalits who questioned this were beaten up and with the law college students having exams from 3 rd of November, Mukkulothor Students Federation declared that any Dalit entering the college would be thrashed and killed. They were roaming around in the college complex with logs, iron rod, dagger and swords. Dalit boys could not enter the hall. Some Dalit boys came sneaking through and wrote the exams. Police or college authority did not take any action even though they were in the know of things.

Only on such a condition they came on 12.11.2008with logs, sticks etc for self protection. College authorities insisted that the students should avoid precipitating the issue. The Dalit students retorted stating that when the college authorities did not take any action when they were being prevented from attending exams, and they had come there for giving protection for Dalits and not attacking the Mukkulathor. Since some Dalit students have come for exams and Mukkulathors have identified and planned to attack them, they came for their defence. In such a situation Bharathikannan, Arumugam and Ayyadurai with daggers 2 ft. long, jumped in shouting that they shall kill at least 5 or so and moved towards the Dalit students. The Dalit students ran helter- shelter for their safety. When Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam ran and caught hold of Chithraiselvan, a Dalit student and tried to stab him down through the head. When he turned and saved his head his ears were torn off by the dagger. Other students joined in to save Chithrai Selvan and hit Bharathi kannan  and Arumugam.

The sole responsibility for this callous approach rests entirely with the college authorities. For the last 4years when in the name of celebrating Thevar Jayanthi, efforts to assert caste hierarchy were being made, specifically failing to address Dr.Ambedkar Law college as such and naming it only as Chennai law college, threatening of the Dalit students, issuing threat to life for those Dalit students who opposed bringing caste conflict into the campus etc were brought to the notice of the college authorities no action was taken. Especially, for the last three days when it was brought to their notice of the magnitude and massive proportion of the brewing trouble, police or the college authorities made no action was taken to prevent the same.

In this situation Bharathi Kannan came in with daggers in hand to attack Dalit students. If the college authorities had acted in time this incident of violence could have been prevented.

Our demands:

1) Take appropriate action on the Principal for failing to take necessary action in time to prevent the brewing violence.

2) College authorities should initiate necessary action to prevent the casteist organizations that function from within the campus triggering violence.

3) Give due protection to all the students especially the Dalit students.

4) Take necessary action on those behind the incidents of violence, the organization, Thevar Peravai for fomenting casteist feelings.

5) Take appropriate action on the police authorities that failed to prevent the students who prowled inside the college campus for the past one week with weapons.

The IISc suicides: Where is the scientific temper? by Anita Ratnam

Suicides by two research scholars in a short span of three months at the Indian Institute of Science,(IISc) Bangalore is sure to once again highlight the academic pressures at this premier institute. Yet to assume that these tragic deaths were due to the stress of a rigorous research programme could amount to missing the core problem. While academic performance related stress might be a reality at IISC, both Ajay’s suicide on August 27 and Chaitra’s suicide on November 19 point to other causes not directly connected to academics.

In Ajay’s case specifically, though the Institute has tried to project his inability to cope with the course as the cause of his suicide, his brilliant academic record, his diary and the voices emerging from dalit students’ networks, indicate that caste related harassment was one of the factors that led to his death. Is it possible that a dalit student in IISc today actually encounters stigma and hostility from colleagues and teachers?

The facts are that every educational or other modern institution in our country is a microcosm of larger Indian society where caste lines are reproduced. IISc is no exception. In fact, given the historical advantage that upper castes have enjoyed in terms of access to quality higher education especially in the sciences, their over representation among students and faculty in institutes like IISC is no accident. Their domination in terms of numbers, suggests that upper caste attitudes as well as pre-conceptions and myths about inferior intellectual abilities of scheduled castes, pervade these institutions. Such a setting could be tremendously intimidating for young dalit students. They have to cope with the various pressures that most students face including homesickness, tensions in the teacher-student relationships and the sense of alienation in a English speaking setting .In addition they also deal with an additional dimension of subtle or overt caste prejudice alongside expectations from dalit families who are the first generation in such institutes.

In a study by the Centre for Study of Violence and Reconciliation in 2003, Shobna Sonpar who has looked at the various dimensions of casteism in IIT Delhi, highlights the sense of being “academically ‘outcaste’, inferior and ‘not entitled’ to these highly coveted seats.”‘ She also elaborates on how academic stigma inside IIT reasonated with the caste stigma that they have carried throughout their lives to the extent that even minor incidents (not necessarily caste-related) triggered overwhelming feelings of shame and anger. The report describes how these students have coped with a sense of being ignored or looked down upon by lying low and remaining at the margins of institutional life and by associating mainly with others from similar backgrounds. In such a context, any attempt at understanding Ajay’s death needs to take into account all these above nuances.

In the case of Chaitra, what comes across is that her being 32 years old and unmarried was a source of great stress for her family who were pressurising her to “see” boys they had lined up for her. Whether Chaitra was averse to getting married in the near future or wanted to marry someone her parents could disapprove of is not yet clear. Yet, the immediate trigger for her suicide was the fact that parents were arranging her marriage. The manner of her suicide, by consuming poison just before boarding the bus to her hometown, suggests she simply did not want to reach home alive.

Here again the gender bias in our society, the non acceptance of the un-married woman and the lack of autonomy young people have in choosing when and whom to marry form the backdrop for this tragedy.

That a young woman scientist being trained in Nano-Materials Engineering should find it so difficult to assert herself in the face of societal pressure says a lot about our families and our educational institutions. It also implies that even high level of science education does not equip one to deal with such a strain. It’s a cruel irony that despite Chaitra having spent 3-4 years in IISc, instances of women successfully defying such familial pressure, had not become part of her worldview.

In both instances, the disturbing issue is that neither the campus composition nor the campus culture at IISC could provide a counter point or role models or a platform to help these two brilliant young people to confront the oppression they were facing. Is this unique to IISc or is this the scenario in our institutes of higher education? Do scientists and science Institutes in India extend their scientific temper to questioning social mores, structures and traditions?

Surely, the very essence of science has been the exploration of reason and the rejection of blind beliefs in the name of tradition, culture and religion. And that is what one expects from the scientific community. Yet we find religious fundamentalism, cultural dogma, astrology, Vedic creationism and obscurantism among our scientific community even today. Rocket scientists performing Poojas for the safe launch of rockets and a DNA scientist attempting to prove that his tribal wife had a different DNA from his caste are only some of the outrageous incidents that hide a larger malaise. Of late, attempts by Hindutva forces to portray the Vedas as science have come to the fore once again blurring the lines between what is scientific and what is sacred. The marginalisation of women and the exclusion of dalits could therefore be given scientific sanctity!

Thanks to Meera Nanda and others who have been writing about the philosophy and sociology of science, we are now more aware that science in India is worshipped as a tool of progress and production, but not used to challenge prejudice or create a more rational or just society.

Attempts have been made at IISC to set up counselling systems for students in distress due to academic strain. The question here is, will these be gender blind and caste blind or will these counselling mechanisms be sensitive to the role that caste, gender, language, religion and class play in student’s stress levels? Is IISc ready to address fundamentals in terms of the sociology of the Institute and the institutionalised hegemonies of caste and gender that are operating insidiously? So far there seems to be a total denial on this score and a tendency to place blame wholly on individuals. In fact denial of oppression is the worst form of subjugation as it takes away any avenues to even name what is happening, let alone provide spaces to deal with it.

More recently special attempts have been made at IISC to recruit and fill at least the “reserved quota” posts and student seats. Will this really make a difference? Shobna Sonpar’s study about IIT Delhi and the Thorat Committee Study at AIIMS reveal that faculty and students from socially advantaged backgrounds carry an exaggerated sense of their entitlement to study/work at IIT/AIIMS claiming superior intellectual ability. They also carry a sense of disentitlement towards SC/ST students whom they feel do not deserve these seats. Filling up vacancies through Special Drives would amount to merely cosmetic changes, if these students and staff are not going to feel any sense of belonging and inclusion in these institutions. And more tragedies like Ajay and Chaitra could be lurking beneath the surface.

( Anita is Founder Director of Samvada Youth Resource Centres and the Chairperson of the National Youth Foundation. She has been involved in working with young people and initiating them into activism since 1984. Her work includes innovative research, designing and facilitating workshops and writing on a variety of social issues. )

Student attempts suicide over ‘casteist’ remark

Publication:Times of India Mumbai;

Date:Dec 31, 2007;

Section:Times City;

Page Numb

Soumittra S Bose I TNN

Nagpur: A final-year student of Bhaiyyaji Pandharipande National Institute of Social Work allegedly attempted suicide after being made a target of a “casteist” remark.

Mahesh Paserkar (22) was admitted to Green City Hospital in Dhantoli on Saturday after reportedly consuming an overdose of sedatives at his home at Barasignal. Paserkar on Sunday claimed that he had decided to take the drastic step as he had been victimised by his collegemates for a year. He also claimed that some local youths threatened to kill his family members. “Local miscreants indulged in hooliganism inside the college and they ganged up with some senior students to target me,” claimed Paserkar.

“They had made it a habit to pass casteist remarks insulting my family background and community,” said Paserkar, a post-graduate student. “Some students ganged up against me to make me feel that being part of the sweeper community leaves one devoid of the right to opt for higher education and pursue a career other than the community’s traditional profession,” claimed Paserkar.

Paserker claimed he was compelled to take sleeping pills to avoid spending sleepless nights due to harassment in

college. Paserkar was reportedly threatened by a group of students to remain absent during the annual college fest on Saturday. When Paserkar decided to stay at home, he reportedly received a call from some of students for not attending the same fest. “I was undergoing tremendous mental agony. Saturday’s incident was like a trigger that prompted me to take the pills,” said Paserkar, who said that during an excursion tour to Goa, he had been harassed. “I was locked up inside the bathroom and they made me sleep on the floor of the bus,”said Paserkar, who claimed that several attempts of molestation had been made on him. “My son has been complaining of harassment and I had to intervene to ensure my son’s safety,” said mother Ramabai Paserkar who works as a cleaner with Nagpur Municipal Corporation.

Paserkar levelled allegations against senior students in connivance with some local youths. Paserkar held a youth from Somwari responsible for his experience.

Principal Laxmikant Tulankar said, “No complaint has been made so far. I would have taken it up if I had been informed,” claimed principal Talunkar. Meanwhile, sources from Dhantoli police station claimed that the victim’s statement would be recorded and sent to Immambada police station for further probe.

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Casteist Principal sent on leave

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Osmania dental students have their way
2 Oct 2007, 0226 hrs IST,TNN

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HYDERABAD: In a surprising move, the government on Monday gave in to the demands of the students on strike at the Osmania Dental College, Afzalgunj, sending the in-charge principal on long leave and appointing a committee to inquire into allegations of harassment and preferential treatment.

Health minister Galla Aruna paid a visit to the hospital on Monday evening and sent the principal on long leave, while appointing a two-member committee to inquire into the allegations against her and submit a report in 15 days.

The committee includes the principals of Osmania Medical College and Gandhi Medical College, Ashok Kumar and Venugopal respectively. Ashok Kumar has been appointed the in-charge principal of the dental college for the time being.

After 38 days of protest and a week of indefinite hunger strike, 16 of the 43 students were admitted to Osmania General Hospital, though all are stable. All the while, the hospital remained closed and classes suspended. The protesters claimed it did not make a difference because of the way they were being taught.

“For the first year, a mere 16 theory classes have been taught so far. We do our studying ourselves anyway. The protest in no way interferes with our goals,” leader of the protest L Mohan Sivakumar told ‘TOI’ on Monday. The list of grievances the students had against the in-charge principal P Kamala Devi was long and included personal targeting, allowing alcohol on campus, withholding certificates and neglecting crucial departments. All these allegations would be looked into by the committee.

“We do not want the students to suffer. If they have grievances, we will look into it with an inquiry. Based on the report of the committee, we shall take action wherever necessary,” Aruna said.

While there was lukewarm response from the higher authorities initially, in the last week, the protesters threatened suicide and also approached the chief minister, asking him to intervene in the matter. On Monday, the principal secretary, the minister for health and the director of medical education all met at the hospital and arrived at the decision to send Devi on long leave.

Of the two government dental colleges in the state, the one in Vijayawada is dysfunctional. Students who opted for the Afzalgunj college and interns who hoped to gain experience in the outpatient department were disappointed by the 38-day loss in their academics and education.
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Medicos protest against casteist Prinicipal

We’ll remain locked until principal goes Twenty students of Osmania Dental Hospital lock themselves up in a classroom and demand removal of their ‘harassing principal’; even threaten to immolate themselves Posted On Tuesday, October 02, 2007 P Pavan   The students allege the principal abuses them on the basis of caste Hyderabad: Twenty students of Osmania Dental Hospital locked themselves inside a classroom on Monday and demanded replacement of their “harassing principal”. The students threatened to immolate themselves if the police or college authorities tried to foil their agitation. “We’ll not come out until the principal is replaced,” they said. Deputy Commissioner of Police Balakrishna offered to arrange a meeting with officials of the Directorate of Medical Education. However, the students said none of the top officials, from the Directorate of Medical Education to the chief minister, responded to their petition. “She (the principal) abuses us on the basis of our caste. If someone is not well-dressed, she says that student is ‘fit for nothing’. Just a day before the exams, she said we were useless,” said Venkat, a second-year student. Lavanya, another student said, “We sent a petition to the Directorate of Medical Education four months ago. Even the health minister refused to meet us. All officials we met said they were helpless. Finally, yesterday (Sunday) we met the chief minister and he said he would look into the matter.” The medicos launched their agitation on August 23. About 40 other students have been on an indefinite fast. On Sunday night, the police shifted 16 of them to the Osmania General Hospital. Professor Kamala Devi, the principal, refused to comment. http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=3&contentid=2007100220071002022554156a658068b

Premier Institute or The hub of Caste Discrimination

IISc Banglore Suicide Report On 27^th August 2007 V.Ajay Sree Chandra PhD scholar from Indian Institute Of Sciences forced to commit suicide by the two of his faculties. He hanged himself in his hostel room. He belongs to scheduled caste and comes from the Andhra Pradesh. He had been repeatedly abused, humiliated, insulted being a Dalit by two of his faculty, one is Dr. Ajit Kumar who was supervisor to him and another is Prof.Raghavendra Gadkar who is co-supervisor to him.