Central University of Rajasthan student alleges discrimination, seeks permission for self-immolation

NEW DELHI: Even before the row over Rohith Vemula’s suicide at the Hyderabad Central University could subside, several complaints of discrimination have lined up in the PMO.

A student of the Central University of Rajasthan has threatened self-immolation over alleged discrimination by the Dean Student Welfare; three women PhD scholars at Lucknow’s Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University have alleged discrimination at hands of the head of the department. In both cases, the matter has reached the Centre with students claiming that adequate action was not being taken by the respective university administrations.

The HRD ministry’s role had come under scanner for allegedly pushing the Hyderabad Central University to act against certain students, though the ministry rejected the accusations, arguing that due process was followed.




The ministry declined to comment on the fresh complaints. Sources in the ministry, however, confirmed it had received complaints but it is for the central universities to address them through relevant grievance redress mechanisms.

The Rajasthan university student pursuing a master’s degree in commerce has alleged that the dean had deliberately blocked his progress in sports activities and participation in national competitions. Singh has written to the PM and the HRD ministry seeking permission for self-immolation.

In his complaint — a copy of which ET has reviewed — Singh has alleged there were instances of similar discrimination towards other students in the past and demanded action against him.

The university set up a committee to look into the complaint but it recommended that the matter should be examined by an external independent committee as the Dean had failed to cooperate with it and had also raised questions about the integrity of committee members.

“I have been complaining since last year and while the university authorities assured us it will be addressed, the harassment continues, our PhD is still not being accepted and submitted and we are faced with a near boycott at the university. Further, our career progress and employment opportunities have been affected due to the delays. That is why we have written to the Centre hoping for justice,” main complainant Anita Gautam,in case of the Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, told ET.