48 days of protest and continuing: Dalit PhD holder alleges caste discrimination in recruitment by OU; varsity calls it baseless

Padmaja has been sitting near the NCC gate in the OU from around 11 am to around 6-7 pm protesting against the officials.

By Ajay Tomar

The last day of 2023, Sunday, 31 December, marked the 48th day since J Padmaja, a 47-year-old PhD holder from Osmania University’s (OU) chemistry department initiated her protest against the varsity’s Vice-Chancellor (VC), Teacher’s Association (OUTA) president and the administration in front of the institution.

She has been alleging systematic discrimination based on her caste and gender, one that has impacted her employment opportunities.

Padmaja, a resident of Hyderabad who comes from the Mala community which is classified as a Scheduled Caste (SC), reveals that she was afraid to speak out about discrimination during her PhD days as it might have curtailed her employment opportunities further.

She completed her PhD in Electrochemistry in October 2013 and claims to have taught at several private universities after that.

OU admin singling out

Padmaja alleges that OUTA President Professor Manohar, who is also the Head of the Department (HoD) of the Chemistry department, VC D Ravinder and other professors in the department have been singling her out because of her Dalit background.

She asserted that systematic discrimination has hindered her ability to secure a job as a government professor despite her teaching experience in schools and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) affiliated institutions.

Padmaja said she had applied for the post of professor at Koti Womens College and Nizam College in Hyderabad, Satavahana University in Karimnagar and other OU-affiliated universities.

“For the last 10 years, I have almost attended all the interviews for recruitment by Osmania University. I got to know through my sources in the selection committee that when my name was on the merit list, the committee had thrown my resume aside and gave jobs to candidates who are junior to me,” she told South First.

She added: “I was also seen as a candidate of former VC S Satyanarayana, implying that I had an affair with him. It is a negative image which the committee members have been trying to create.”

Padmaja stated instances where specific institutions explicitly stated they did not hire individuals from SC communities.

“During an interview at Koti Women’s College, my resume was disposed of without any explanation. Chemistry Department HOD, a female professor, threw my resume in the dustbin and did not inform me about the interview,” she said.

Expressing concerns about the procedures within the OU Chemistry department,  Padmaja alleged that influential figures in the department played a significant role in selecting candidates based on personal preferences rather than merit, both in PhD admissions and the recruitment of contract employees and part-time lecturers.

 “Several vacancies are lying in the Chemistry department but the present VC (Ravinder) is taking bribes and selling them,” Padmaja alleged.

Protesting since ’48 days’

For the past 48 days, Padmaja has been sitting near the NCC gate in the OU from around 11 am to around 6-7 pm protesting against the officials.

As Padmaja is beyond the age criteria, she is seeking a special exemption for a job at Osmania University or any institution affiliated to the university.

The placard that she holds while protesting says, “Protesting against OUTA president and chemistry department professors to stop discrimination.”

She accuses her guide, retired professor Ch Anjaneyulu, former vice chancellor S Satyanarayana and a few other professors of making derogatory comments about her SC background.

“After I lodged a sexual harassment complaint against the VC and my guide in 2013, they started targeting me categorically. My guide used to tell all the chemistry professors not to train me as I complained against them and also because I hail from an SC background,” Padmaja said.

In 2013, Padmaja had reportedly lodged a complaint with the police alleging sexual harassment by former VC Satyanarayana and Anjaneyulu for five years and sending her to jail for levelling charges against her.

She said, “My guide Professor Anjaneyulu used to touch me inappropriately. When I told this to other professors of the Chemistry department, they asked me to go and inform the VC. However, all the professors were united and did not support me.”

“My guide restricted me from entering the research lab. The VC also did not take any action and instead used to call me in his office,” she added.

She added that she did not receive support even from the female professors.

“Several female professors opposed my decision to call out sexual harassment by the then VC and as females, they did not support me on several issues. Instead, they said I was not selected because of coming from a marginalised caste,” Padmaja said.

“Professor Lakshmi from Women’s College in Koti and Professor Uma from Nizam College used to regularly tell me to be on good terms with VC Satyanarayana in order to secure a job,” she claimed.

She had also written to the then Governor demanding action against the VC and others. Despite all this, she submitted her thesis and was awarded the PhD on 10 October, 2013. However, days later she was booked by the police after the VC filed a complaint against her.

Allegations are baseless

OU VC D Ravinder explained that the selection process comprises 100 marks — written tests for fifty marks and fifty marks for the academic performance of candidates.

“Of the 100 marks in the selection process, 95 are in the hands of a candidate. Only five marks are for the interview. The process has been set up to be impartial. From what I know, she secured fourth rank while only two candidates were required in this year’s recruitment process.”

About the bribe allegations, he said, “In that case, why would we conduct the written test? Osmania University is the first in the country to have a written test in the part-time teacher recruitment process. It is easy for people to blame. It would be best if she substantiated it with evidence.”

OUTA President B Manohar termed Padmaja’s allegations of caste and gender discrimination baseless. He said it was wrong on the part of Padmaja to blame the administration and professors for becoming unsuccessful in securing a job.

“Proper procedures including a test, verification of the qualification, and an interview should be followed for the selection and recruitment. The selection is conducted fairly and impartially. If you are not getting selected, you cannot blame the administration and say that you have been rejected due to some influence and other things,” he noted while speaking with South First.

Manohar also pointed out the absence of regular recruitment in Telangana since 2013. “Osmania University does not have any part-time teaching openings too,” he said.

Manohar noted that the OUTA functioning does not concern matters regarding recruitment.

“We deal with the issues of teachers, related to service as this is a teachers’ association. What she (Padmaja) is doing is a pressurising tactic for getting a job and every unemployed person seeking a job can do the same tomorrow. ”

Manohar, who is also the HOD of the Chemistry department, pointed out that she has a history that includes a 10-day jail term for blackmailing the VC (Satyanarayana).

“She had blackmailed the VC and created trouble on the day of his son’s wedding. Due to her past which includes imprisonment, it is possible that concerns raised about her reputation can affect her chances of recruitment as track record matters. No private college might not also offer a job,” he said.

He acknowledged that Padmaja is eligible for the post like any other non-NET candidate who has finished the PhD.

“She is saying that her batchmate was given preference ahead of her but that can be said by any candidate. If she gets selected, then she will be given a job,” he said.

Courtesy : TSF

Note: This news piece was originally published in thesouthfirst.com and used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes exclusively for Human Right