IIM Bangalore Under Fire: AIOBSCA Demands Director’s Resignation Over Caste Discrimination

An investigation report by Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) confirmed allegations of caste-based discrimination and constitutional violations against the Director, Dean (Faculty), and six other faculty members of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore.

Bengaluru- Premier institution Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore has come under fire after a probe by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) uncovered disturbing evidence of caste-based discrimination against Dr. Gopal Das, an associate professor from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. The revelations have sparked outrage, with several organizations and activists demanding the resignation of the institution’s Director and immediate legal action against the accused.

The Mooknayak was the first to bring to light the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) investigation, which confirmed caste-based discrimination against Dr. Gopal Das, an associate professor at IIM Bangalore.

In a letter dated December 9, Commissioner of the social welfare department, said that an inquiry by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) had found evidence of caste-based discrimination against and denial of equal opportunity to Dr Das by senior officials including IIM-B Director Dr Rishikesha T Krishnan and Dean (Faculty) Dr Dinesh Kumar.

Following the explosive revelation, Bahujan organizations across the country have condemned the actions of senior officials at the institute and demanded immediate accountability.

Bahujan leaders and activists have intensified their demands for the resignation of the Director and the filing of FIRs against the accused officials.

IIM Bangalore Under Fire: AIOBSCA Demands Director’s Resignation Over Caste Discrimination

DCRE Report Confirms Caste Discrimination at IIM Bangalore; FIR Ordered Against Director and Faculty

The DCRE inquiry highlighted severe violations, including public disclosure of Dr. Das’s caste, denial of equal opportunities, and failure to establish legally mandated grievance redressal mechanisms. Joining the institution under the general merit category in 2018, Dr. Das faced what he described as “systematic humiliation and injustice.”

Despite his qualifications and contributions, Dr. Das’s promotion application was withheld under contentious circumstances. The institution justified its stance by citing unrelated harassment complaints filed by doctoral students—a move that critics allege is retaliatory.

Kiran Kumar Gowd, President of AIOBCSA, expressed outrage at the findings, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability. “The Director must resign, and an FIR should be filed against those responsible for this blatant caste-based discrimination. IIM Bangalore cannot claim to promote diversity while ignoring its legal obligations to safeguard SC, ST, and OBC rights,” he said.

” IIM Bangalore’s response has been dismissive, attributing the denial of Dr. Das’s promotion to unrelated harassment complaints filed by doctoral students. However, these allegations emerged only after his application for promotion was withheld, raising serious questions about retaliation. The institution’s claim of adhering to diversity and inclusion policies falls flat as it has not constituted statutory SC, ST, and OBC Cells or included representatives from these communities in its grievance redressal mechanisms,” read the statement.

The AIOBCSA also criticized the institution for its failure to establish statutory SC, ST, and OBC cells or include community representatives in its grievance redressal mechanisms, as required by law.

Courtesy: The Mooknayak

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