Patna- The row over social media posts attributed to IIT Patna registrar and dean of administration Awalendra Kumar Thakur has now reached a police station and the Union Education Ministry. A Dalit youth from Patna has filed a complaint at the SC/ST police station in Patna seeking registration of an FIR against Thakur. Citing that complaint, the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers (BANAE) has written to the Education Ministry’s secretary and joint secretary demanding Thakur’s suspension. Thakur denies the posts are his.

The complaint at the police station

In an application to the station house officer, complainant Aditya Kumar Paswan, who says he belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, has accused Thakur of hurting the sentiments of the Dalit community, insulting the Constitution and promoting disharmony in society.

According to the complaint, Thakur posted on LinkedIn and other social media platforms a message calling for a review of the reservation and relaxation policy, describing it as a political weapon to create and sustain a “vote bank.” The complainant alleges that Thakur also posted another line on social media, in Hindi:

“Don’t become capable, become a Dalit, success will come chasing you – Indian Constitution.”

The complainant says the line was written in the name of the Constitution, which contains no such statement. In his reading, it implies that Dalits succeed on the basis of caste and not merit, which he calls a direct insult to the talent and struggle of the community and a attempt to malign the Constitution. He alleges the post was deleted after it became public and drew protest, but says he has a screenshot, which is attached to the complaint.

Paswan says he was deeply hurt as a member of the community. He argues that such a statement from a senior government official could spread hatred and resentment against Dalits and reserved categories and disturb social harmony. The accused’s position makes it more serious, he says, since reserved-category students and employees look to him for justice.

What the complaint seeks

• Registration of an FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (such as Sections 196, 299 and 353)

• Preservation of all digital evidence, especially relating to the deleted Facebook post

• Information to be sought from the social media companies concerned

• A fair and time-bound investigation

The controversy so far

IIT Patna received several complaints from faculty members and rights activists over alleged comments by Thakur on LinkedIn and Facebook. The LinkedIn post called on the government to review the reservation provisions that the Constitution made for 10 years.

A faculty member from the electrical engineering department wrote to the director seeking preservation of evidence, a formal inquiry and disciplinary proceedings. Another faculty member, speaking anonymously, said such views from a registrar could erode the trust of students and faculty. Activist Anil Wagde also wrote to the chairman and director, seeking action including an FIR.

Director Amit Patra has said the matter is being investigated. “Once the allegation is proved, necessary action will be taken,” he wrote in a WhatsApp message.

Thakur has rejected the allegations, writing on WhatsApp that the posts are “fake, concocted, doctored and false.” He said adversaries may have created more such content that he is unaware of, and that he would act against those who posted the comments in his name.

The inquiry into the posts’ authenticity is continuing. There is no update yet on whether an FIR has been registered on the police complaint.