Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala on Saturday removed the director of its Department of Nano Science and Nanotechnology after a research student from the Scheduled Caste community went on a hunger strike for almost a week alleging caste discrimination. Assured that the department and university are with him.
Research scholar Deepa P Mohanan has been on hunger strike since October 30 demanding the removal of department director Nandkumar Kalarikal. She is also demanding access to all research facilities, including the laboratory, which was allegedly denied citing her caste.
State Higher Education Minister Prof R Bindu said: “VC (Sabu Thomas) has taken over as the head of IIUCNN. I have assured Deepa that all facilities required to complete her PhD will be provided to (her) – the VC will act as her guide.
He also requested Deepa to end her hunger strike.
Deepa termed the action against Nandakumar as a hoax and said she would continue the agitation till she was sacked. He said that the university has not taken any disciplinary action against him.
The issue came to the fore five years ago with Deepa’s complaint that Nandakumar was opposing the opening of a nanoscience laboratory for a research scholar from a Dalit background. Thereafter, a two-member panel examined the allegations and submitted an adverse report against the professor.
“Based on the report, he was removed from the post of Director (of the department), and the High Court upheld the decision,” she said. “However, the university brought him back as director in 2017. It was illegal. The High Court and SC/ST Commission had issued orders in favor of my demand, but the university has not yet implemented them.
Stating that since joining the university in 2011 (for MPhil) she was denied the right to education due to caste discrimination, 36-year-old Deepa said: “I am going through an unspeakable trauma these days, And I can understand why Rohith Vemula (Hyderabad University student) ended his life. But I will not withdraw from the movement without ensuring justice. I have to win this movement for many others who have lost such battles for justice.
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said hunger strike by a woman against caste discrimination is an insult to Kerala.
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