SFI alleges caste abuse by faculty at University of Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has flagged the alleged discrimination students from marginalised communities face at the University of Hyderabad by citing an associate professor’s “casteist, classist and discriminatory remarks” against alumni.

SFI’s United Kingdom unit and HCU unit have both released statements condemning remarks by Dr Vijaya Ramadas Mandala, Associate Professor at HCU’s Department of History.

Both have cited an email that was allegedly shared by the professor with a student he was mentoring.

SFI UK stated that Mandala called one of his students a “Dalit untouchable idiot”, and demeaned students from marginalised backgrounds coming to the UK to pursue higher education claiming that they lack class and culture.

He also said that he “will not provide academic support for third-rate, poverty-ridden idiots from Bihar and Jharkhand henceforth,” the statement read.

Mandala allegedly dismissed the remarks as a momentary flare-up of emotion when confronted by the university administration and the department, SFI UK said.

The union added that the students had earlier received academic guidance and recommendation letters from Mandala while collaborating with him on academic publications and abuse began only when they disagreed with him.

“Students depend on senior academics for references, research guidance and publication opportunities, and it is this dependence that makes such abuse an instrument of control.” they added.

“Dalit, Adivasi and Bahujan students across Indian and UK universities continue to face casteism, gatekeeping and institutional indifference. Caste also follows Indian students abroad, while remaining absent from the protected characteristics of the UK’s Equality Act 2010.” the statement read.

SFI UK has demanded the dismissal of Mandala from all positions at the University of Hyderabad following a transparent inquiry with public findings and the registration of a case under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

They have also called upon the academic community in the UK to withhold collaboration with Mandala until these demands are met, and upon publishers to review any contracts with him.

Hyderabad SFI’s response

According to the SFI unit at HCU, the incident was triggered over revisions to a book chapter when the student cited ethical constraints in anonymising individuals in his research.

“These remarks expose a deeply entrenched casteist and classist mindset that determines who deserves dignity, recognition and opportunities within academic institutions. Targeting a student because of his Dalit identity, regional background and economic circumstances is an attack on the very principles of equality and social justice that public universities are expected to uphold.” they stated in an Instagram post.

“The repeated deaths of marginalised students on university campuses have exposed the devastating consequences of caste discrimination, institutional apathy and the absence of effective grievance-redressal mechanisms. Behind these tragedies lie structures of everyday humiliation, unequal treatment, academic gatekeeping and the denial of dignity. It is precisely in this context that the remarks made by Dr Ramadas must be understood.” they added.

Siasat.com has reached out to the professor for a response. The story will be updated as and when it is received.

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