India: Dalit professors resign over caste bias in major public university
Mass resignation at Bangalore University exposes ongoing caste discrimination against marginalized communities in Indian higher education
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Ten professors from India’s Dalit community — historically oppressed under the Hindu caste system — have resigned from their administrative posts at Bangalore University, a major state-run institution in southern India.
Their collective resignation is a protest against what they describe as caste-based discrimination, including being systematically sidelined from decision-making roles and denied benefits afforded to their peers.
In a letter submitted to the university administration, the professors said they were consistently given only symbolic “in-charge” titles for their administrative roles — a designation that strips them of decision-making power. They also allege they were denied leave benefits typically associated with those positions, despite repeated formal requests.
“While giving additional administrative responsibilities, it is just mentioned as ‘in-charge’, and also trying to avoid the Earned Leaves credited to our accounts,” the professors wrote. “Despite repeated requests regarding this, there was no response from the university authorities. Hence, we are all submitting resignations for the additional responsibilities given to us.”
Among the signatories are prominent figures in academic leadership, including the Director of the Ambedkar Research Centre and the university’s Director of Student Welfare.
The incident has reignited global concerns over caste discrimination in India’s higher education system. Although caste-based discrimination is officially outlawed, Dalits — formerly referred to as “Untouchables” under the Hindu caste hierarchy — remain severely underrepresented in elite academic institutions and are frequently subjected to social exclusion and administrative sidelining.
Reports of Dalit students and faculty facing isolation, bias in promotions, and lack of institutional support are widespread, particularly in prestigious science and engineering institutes across the country.
Observers say the Bangalore University resignations are emblematic of a broader pattern in which Dalit professionals are granted access in name, but denied real influence or recognition.
Calls for systemic reform — including independent grievance mechanisms, diversity audits, and stronger implementation of anti-discrimination laws — have gained traction in recent years, especially following high-profile cases of caste-based discrimination on university campuses.
But progress has been slow, and many Dalit academics say they continue to work under invisible ceilings that limit their participation and suppress their voices.
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