SM Fasiullah for BeyondHeadlines
Authorities of reputed University of Hyderabad (HCU) are indifferent to the needs and aspirations of Dalit students to a large extent, noted a committee that investigated the death of Dalit research scholar Madari Venkatesh in the campus.
The fact finding committee led by Mr. Anjaneyulu, Director of Centre for Dalit Studies (CDS), met university officials, representatives of students union, and students to inquire into the circumstances that led to Mr. Venkatesh’s suicide.
The committee, which visited HCU on 26 November, pointed towards the bitter reality that Mr. Venkatesh’s suicide clearly represents a case of discrimination against Dalit students in the campus.
No university official has showed any inclination in consoling the family members of Mr. Venkatesh, said the committee while adding there were serious institutional lapses in allotting a guide and preventing the suicide of Mr. Venkatesh.
Students in the campus have reportedly expressed to the committee that Dalits were discriminated in all aspects in HCU, which boasts itself as India’s top institution.
HCU VC Ramakrishna Ramaswamy told the committee that caste discrimination was a reality of life on the campus. He added that he could not change overnight the attitudes of people who practice caste discrimination.
Mr. Ramaswamy said that were no permanent counseling centers (24X7) in HCU to attend to students’ psychological grievances.
While pointing towards the discriminatory attitudes of the ACRHEM and HCU authorities in allocating guides and providing support to the students belonging to Dalit communities, Prof. Y B Satyanarayana demanded for research guides for scholars within a stipulated timeframe.
Prof. V Krishna said that Mr. Venkatesh got humiliated for non-appointment of a guide for 3 years. He also noted there were several lapses on part of the ACRHEM Director and HCU authorities in implementing the recommendations of Prof. Vinod Pavarala and Prof. V Krishna committees.
