Bengaluru – In the ongoing caste discrimination controversy at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), starkly contrasting reactions have emerged. While Bahujan organizations and activists are intensifying their demand for action against the accused by sending letters to the Board Chairman and members, some faculty members of IIMB have initiated a signature campaign, expressing solidarity with the institute's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Their statement comes as the institution faces allegations of systemic caste-based discrimination, with an FIR filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against IIMB Director Dr. Rishikesha T. Krishnan and seven professors.

The FIR (No. 467/2024) was registered against the Director and others on December 20, following a report from Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE).

The controversy stems from a complaint lodged by a Dalit faculty member Dr Gopal Das who alleged caste-based harassment and systemic discrimination by senior members of the IIMB administration. The FIR has led to significant public and academic discourse about the inclusivity and accountability of India's elite management institutions.

Faculty Launch Solidarity Campaign

Many faculty members in a statement of solidarity stated that, they have personally been engaged in conversations and involved in decisions that fundamentally emphasize holding the door open for others.

The statement emphasizes the institute’s proactive efforts to create an inclusive environment, questioning whether workplaces reduce or exacerbate the burdens of systemic inequalities:

"While systemic inequalities and stigmas continue to affect marginalized groups, the question to ask is whether our workplace reduces or exacerbates these burdens. In our personal experience, IIM Bangalore has consistently lightened these burdens and made navigating challenges easier."

Faculty members highlighted key initiatives, including the Pre-doctoral Program for marginalized groups, efforts to ensure diversity in PhD admissions, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals. "Our accessibility interventions begin within our classrooms but continue to ripple outward, shaping best practices in inclusion for organizations nationwide," the statement noted.

Reiterating their confidence in IIMB’s culture, the faculty said:

"The pursuit of academic excellence at IIM Bangalore has been nurtured and enhanced through inclusivity, fairness, transparency, and mutual respect. We can confidently say that discrimination based on religion, caste, sexual orientation, community, or gender, is something IIMB strives to eliminate through several institute-wide initiatives that reflect the institute’s commitment to inclusivity."

Faculty members also highlighted their work in disability advocacy and creating accessible learning environments, presenting IIMB as a model of inclusivity and fairness. They defended the institute’s policies and practices, asserting that any tarnishing of its legacy undermines the values it upholds..

Bahujan Activists Send Letters for Immediate Action

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Chairperson of the IIMB Board, Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, and other board members, Bahujan activists and social reformers have raised serious concerns over the alleged caste discrimination practices at the institute. The letter references findings by the DCRE, a special unit of the Karnataka Police, which reportedly concluded that IIMB Director Rishikesha T. Krishnan and seven other faculty members violated the constitutional rights of marginalized communities.

The activists also highlighted past allegations against Dr. Krishnan during his tenure as Director of IIM Indore, accusing him of repeated violations of the rights of marginalized groups.

The activists expressed dismay that Dr. Krishnan continues to hold his position despite the gravity of the charges. “Your inaction, rather prima facie, supporting Dr Rishikesha T. Krishnan, led to more damage for marginalized and oppressed communities, students, and staff,” the letter stated.

Adding to their concerns, the activists pointed out that Dr. Krishnan recently nominated two professors—Chetan Subramanian and Sreelata Jonnalagedda, both accused in the FIR—to the IIMB Board. They demanded the immediate removal of Dr Krishnan and the accused professors, along with ensuring the safety of the victim and their family.

BANAE Questions Police Action

Meanwhile, the ongoing caste discrimination row has sparked action from civil society groups. The Baba Saheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers (BANAE) National President, Nagsen Sonare, has written to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, South-East Division, seeking answers regarding the investigation into the FIR.

In his letter, Sonare raised several pointed questions:

1. Has the investigation commenced, and has the victim been contacted?

2. Given that no anticipatory bail or stay has been granted to the accused, why have arrests not been made as per the provisions of the SC-ST (PoA) Act and BNS-23?

3. Has adequate security been provided to the victim?

Sonare emphasized the public interest in ensuring that justice is served without delays.

City Civil Court to Hear Bail Pleas on Dec 31

Notably, the City Civil Court, which is hearing anticipatory bail applications filed by the accused individuals, adjourned the matter, without any interim protection until December 31.

Although the accused reiterated that the Karnataka High Court, during a hearing on December 20, granted a stay on all proceedings arising from the DCRE report, neither the Bangalore Police, the Social Welfare Department, nor the DCRE have received any such order.

When The Mooknayak sought clarification on the matter, IIM Bangalore stated that the court is currently on vacation and that the order would be accessible once the registry uploads it.

However, activists have expressed doubts about the existence of any stay, pointing out that the accused applied for anticipatory bail on December 23.

The allegations, described as unprecedented in the history of Indian Institutes of Management, have raised serious concerns about systemic caste-based discrimination in premier educational institutions.

While faculty members have defended IIMB's policies as inclusive, activists and civil society groups continue to demand transparency and action. The upcoming court hearing is likely to play a crucial role in determining the case's trajectory.