Hindustan Times, New Delhi
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) tops the list of Central universities that witnessed caste-based discrimination against Dalits in 2015-16. (HT File Photo)
The UGC’s figures on caste-based discrimination were reported in response to a question in Lok Sabha on Monday.
In 2015-16, there were 102 complaints of discrimination against Dalits and 40 against tribals in 18 central universities . The issue of caste discrimination on campuses had come to light after Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula committed suicide at the University of Hyderabad last year.
After his death, a number of SC/ST students from across the country had came forward and expressed their insecurity in higher educational institutions.
BHU vice-chancellor Prof Girish Chandra Tripathi, however, claimed there was no caste-based discrimination in BHU.
“No such case came into my knowledge. As I haven’t seen the report, it is not appropriate to comment,” he said. The UGC’s figures, as provided by the government in the Lok Sabha, are based on the reports submitted by universities.
Both UP and Gujarat have the maximum number of universities that have reported castebased complaints. In Delhi, seven such complaints were received from Indira Gandhi National Open University and three from Jawaharlal Nehru University. JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said, “We have a separate equal opportunity cell. Each complaint is thoroughly investigated,” he said
- Benares Hindu University- 19
- Gujarat University – 18
- Saurashtra University – 9
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University – 8
- Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Science University – 8
- Indira Gandhi National Open University – 7
- Maharishi Dayanand University (Haryana) 6
- Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj, Medical University – 5
- Jawaharlal Nehru University – 3
February 8, 2017 at 9:41 pm
The caste- based incidents are on the rise and a central university like BHU topping the list is regrettable. The administration of such college must see that no incidents take place relating to caste and gender discrimination in university campus