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A case has been registered against the director and professors of IIM Bengaluru for allegedly discriminating against a Dalit associate professor.
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. (file photo)
A case has been registered against the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru (IIM) director and seven professors for discriminating against a Dalit associate professor on the basis of his caste, police said on Saturday.
Based on the complaint by the associate professor, a case was registered against the IIMB director and other faculty members on Friday under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Indian Judicial Code.
“We received the complaint and a case was registered. However, those named in the FIR claimed that they obtained the stay order from the court the same evening. But we have not received the order yet,” said a senior official.
Based on an investigation report by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE), the Social Welfare Department directed the state police chief to initiate legal action on the complaint of the said associate professor.
According to the police, IIMB associate professor Gopal Das alleged that the eight people knowingly disclosed and publicized their caste at the workplace and that they were denied equal opportunities.
He further alleged that he was also threatened and mentally harassed.
In a statement released earlier, IIMB claimed that rather than facing harassment or discrimination, Das has received all kinds of support from the institute since his recruitment in 2018, including when he started applying for the post of assistant professor but was rejected. Was offered the role of Associate. Professor on the basis of his qualification and experience.
According to IIMB, he has received significant incentives since joining IIMB for his research and teaching, in addition to his salary as Associate Professor as per the 7th Central Pay Commission of the Government of India. He has held positions of responsibility including Chairman, Institutional Review Board; Member, Career Development Services Committee and Member, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
He has taught courses of his choice in various academic programs of the institute.
“Dr. Das’s allegations of discrimination against the institute and its faculty came to light only after his application for promotion was put on hold due to harassment complaints lodged against him by some doctoral students. An inquiry was conducted by IIMB as per rules, involving an eminent academic from the SC category from a reputed institute, which found that the complaints of the students were justified.”
“IIMB is committed to fostering an inclusive academic community and will uphold its legacy of excellence and integrity and will take appropriate action in consultation with legal experts,” the statement said.
(This story has not been edited by AyraNews24x7 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,
