My Struggle Against Discrimination Worked: Dalit Woman Scholar

Though Deepa’s complaint a year ago had resulted in a lot of media attention, the university had failed to act.

Deepa M Mohan, a PhD student at the Mahatma Gandhi University. (Photo: The Quint)

More than a year after Deepa M Mohan, a PhD student at the Mahatma Gandhi University complained that she was subjected to mental torture by her professor as she was a Dalit, the Syndicate of the university has decided to take action against him.

Deepa,who is pursuing a PhD at the International and Inter University Centre for Nano-science and Nanotechnology at MG University in Kottayam, had alleged last year that she was being discriminated against by the centre’s joint director Nandakumar Kalarickal.

Though Deepa’s complaint had resulted in a lot of media attention, the university had failed to act.

The syndicate meeting on Monday has recommended that a criminal case be filed against the professor under relevant sections of the SC/ST (Atrocities Prevention) Act. The professor has been asked to explain his conduct, failing which he would be terminated. For now, he has been removed from the post of Joint Director.

I am happy that the syndicate took this decision after two years of my struggle. For almost a year, my travails at the university had become news, but then people lost interest. I was scared I would not get justice. But my recent Facebook post asking SFI President Sivadasan on why they never helped me went viral and stirred the controversy again. I did not want anyone to be punished, my only demand was that I should be allowed to study there.

Deepa to <i>The News Minute</i>

It all started when Deepa was denied access to the university laboratory and other facilities. She also alleged that professor had locked her in a laboratory.

He has strong political support. But truth always wins. I heard that the Registrar and VC have opposed his suspension, but other members insisted. The VC has asked me to submit a work report in a short span of time. The demand has been made only to me and I am planning to approach court against this. They also said that if I fail to submit within the allotted time, it can affect my academics.

Deepa to <i>The News Minute</i>

Deepa had told The News Minute last April that when she had complained about her plight to the university’s Pro Vice Chancellor Sheena Shukkoor, Nandakumar who told her that Dalit students should not be encouraged, in order to keep discipline intact.

I realised then that my caste was at fault.

Deepa to <i>The News Minute</i>