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Days after ten Dalit professors at Bangalore University threatened to resign from their administrative roles, alleging caste-based discrimination, the University has issued a formal statement denying the charges. The university has asserted its commitment to social justice and reservation norms.
In an official response addressed to the SC/ST Teachers Association, the University said that allegations of “anti-Dalit policy” were baseless, and highlighted that Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) faculty currently comprise 63.5% of its teaching staff, 80 out of 126.
The professors had alleged that for nearly a decade, they were made to shoulder key administrative responsibilities without any compensation, and that their appointments were routinely labelled as “in-charge” to deny them formal recognition and benefits.
“They are getting the work done from us without giving us the position or reward. It’s a clear case of discrimination,” said Prof J Krishnamurthy, one of the ten signatories and president of the Bangalore University Teachers Association, speaking to TNM
In a letter dated July 2 addressed to Vice-Chancellor Professor Jayakara SM, the aggrieved professors alleged that SC/ST faculty have been handling crucial administrative duties, including heading the Ambedkar Research Centre, Equal Opportunities Cell, Student Welfare, and Distance and Online Education, but have not been compensated either with pay, perks or earned leave.
Professor B Shivanna, a member of the University’s syndicate, told TNM that there is a “clear disparity” in how Dalit faculty members are treated when compared to professors from dominant castes.
Responding to these allegations, the university pointed out that many of the key statutory appointments, such as Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Finance Officer, and Registrar (Evaluation), are made directly by the state government and not the university itself. “It is unfortunate that these appointments are being viewed as discriminatory,” the university said.
The university maintained that wherever appointments fall within its purview, it has given priority to SC/ST teachers. It cited that 22 out of 30 administrative roles, including Directors, Coordinators and Nodal Officers, are currently held by SC/ST faculty.
In terms of backlog in posts, a major sticking point in many public institutions, the university claimed it had outperformed others in the state. Out of 55 such posts identified by the Social Welfare Department, 35 have been filled, and the process to fill the remaining is ongoing, the varsity said.
In 2024–25 alone, 29 out of 44 faculty promotions to Associate Professors went to candidates from SC/ST communities, it added.