IIM-B in the dock over allegations of caste discrimination against Dalit professor

A case has been registered against the director and seven professors of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B) for allegedly discriminating against a Dalit associate professor on the basis of his caste, police said on Dec 21.

Based on the complaint from the associate professor, a case was registered on Dec 20 against the director and other faculty members of IIM-B under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

"We received the complaint and filed a case. However, those named in the FIR claimed that they obtained a stay order from the court the same evening. But we are yet to receive the order," a senior officer said.

Based on an investigation report of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE), the Social Welfare Department directed the state police chief to initiate legal action on the complaint of the said associate professor.

According to police, Gopal Das, an associate professor at IIMB, alleged that eight persons deliberately revealed and publicized his caste at the workplace and he was denied equal opportunity.

He further alleged that he was also threatened and mentally harassed.

In a statement issued earlier, the IIM-B claimed that rather than harassment or discrimination, Das has received all forms of support from the Institute since his recruitment in 2018, starting with his applying for the position of Assistant Professor, but being offered the role of Associate Professor based on his qualifications and experience.

According to IIM-B, he has received significant incentives since he joined the inistitute for his research and teaching, in addition to his salary as Associate Professor as per the 7th central pay commission of the Government of India. He has been given positions of responsibility including Chairperson, Institutional Review Board; Member, Career Development Services Committee and Member, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

"He has taught courses of his choice across different academic programs of the Institute.

Dr Das’s allegations of discrimination against the Institute and its faculty arose only when his application for promotion was put on hold because of complaints of harassment lodged by some doctoral students against him. An enquiry conducted by IIM-B as per the rules, with the committee including a reputed academic from the SC category from an eminent institution, found that the students’ complaints were justified," it stated.

"IIM-B remains committed to fostering an inclusive academic community and will continue to uphold its legacy of excellence and integrity, and will take appropriate action in consultation with legal experts," the statement added.

(PTI)