Ten Dalit professors at Bangalore University have resigned from their additional administrative responsibilities, alleging caste-based discrimination in role allotments, being relegated to mere “in-charge” positions as a deliberate attempt to curtail their authority, and the denial of earned leave benefits.
The professors stated that while they were previously entrusted with meaningful administrative responsibilities alongside their academic duties, they are now being assigned only “in-charge” roles—something they see as a deliberate attempt to curtail their authority.
The professors, including Prof. C. Somashekar, Director of the Ambedkar Research Centre; Nagesh P.C., Director of Student Welfare; Sudesh V., Co-ordinator of PM-USHA; and Muralidhar B.L., Director of the Distance and Online Education Centre, alleged that the university is denying them earned leave benefits linked to their additional responsibilities.
In a letter addressed to the Registrar (Administration) of Bangalore University, the professors expressed their dissatisfaction, stating, “While giving additional administrative responsibilities, it is just mentioned as ‘in-charge’, and there is also an attempt to avoid crediting our Earned Leaves.”
They further alleged that “despite repeated requests regarding this issue, there was no response from the university authorities.”
Citing these ongoing concerns, they said, “Hence, we are all submitting resignations for the additional responsibilities given to us.”
Many believe this incident reflects a pattern of exclusion, harassment, and denial of opportunities for Dalit professors, often exacerbated by institutional failures to implement anti-discrimination policies effectively.
Earlier in 2024, a Dalit associate professor at IIM Bangalore filed a complaint of caste-based discrimination, which was later confirmed by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, citing public caste disclosure, denial of opportunities, and lack of grievance mechanisms.
