IIM-B prof alleges caste bias, institute denies claim’ | Bangalore News

Das, who joined IIM-B in 2018, had earlier raised a complaint with President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to the institute in January this year. Based on the directions of the President’s Office, the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) had initiated an inquiry into the matter in March.

Ihe institute, however, denied the allegations levelled by Das. “IIM-B categorically and strongly denies all the allegations made in the letter. IIM-B is a law-abiding institute with zero tolerance for any form of discrimination. Any complaint of such manner has always been dealt with utmost attention and detail in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Institute and the law established,” said the institute.

“The Institute has strong internal mechanisms against any form of discrimination. The Diversity and Inclusion Grievance Redressal Committee (DIGRC) looks into all complaints of discrimination including those related to SC/ST. We do not want to comment further as the Institute has given its detailed response on the complaints made to the Hon’ble President of India to the authorities concerned,” the statement said.

Das, in his letter to the Social Welfare Department, accused IIM-B Director Rishikesha T Krishnan and Dean (Faculty) Dinesh Kumar, along with six others, of “harassment” after the DCRE inquiry was initiated.

“Even though 50% of students are from the oppressed communities at IIM-Bangalore and they face discrimination regularly, the Director did not form any SC/ST Cell as per Government of India guidelines, despite my multiple requests since 2018,” he wrote in the letter. “I got murder and blackmailing threats. I immediately reported these incidents to the Director without any result,” he said.

Das, who teaches marketing, further wrote, “All the accused are emboldened by the fact that no one can act against them. However, I am of the firm opinion that the ongoing DCRE inquiry will not only deter the perpetrators from vengeful actions but also render expeditious justice and instill confidence that whimsical acts of those wielding power cannot jeopardise the academic interests and individual dignity of members of SC/ST students, staff, and faculty at IIM-Bangalore.”