Bangalore- A detailed investigation by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) has confirmed allegations of caste-based discrimination and constitutional violations against the Director, Dean (Faculty), and six other faculty members of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore.

The investigation report (No. 86/HP/DCRE/2024) , submitted to the Karnataka Social Welfare Department on November 26, mark a significant development in a case that has brought to light systemic issues of caste discrimination in one of India’s premier educational institutions.

Despite the Social Welfare Commissioner's directive on December 9 to register an FIR against the accused, the City Police Commissioner has yet to take action, and the Mico Layout Police Station has failed to register the FIR, raising concerns over administrative inaction.

Background of the Complaint

The case centers on Professor Gopal Das, an IIT Kharagpur graduate and globally recognized scholar in marketing, who joined IIM Bangalore in April 2018 as an Associate Professor. Despite being a member of the Dalit community, Professor Das did not avail himself of reservation benefits.

He has since been a top performer at the institute, earning recognition as one of Stanford University’s top 2% professors for five consecutive years. However, despite his stellar academic record, Das alleged that he faced systemic harassment and denial of opportunities due to his caste.

The complaint was first brought to light in January 2024 when Professor Das met the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, during her visit to IIM Bangalore. In his interaction, and later through a formal letter, Das detailed the discriminatory practices he faced. These included being excluded from institutional activities, forced to withdraw elective courses and PhD programs, and restricted from accessing institutional resources. Das also reported that his caste was publicly disclosed through mass emails, subjecting him to humiliation and targeted harassment. He alleged that he was referred to as belonging to a “lower caste,” an affront to his dignity and rights.

Following Professor Das’s complaint, the President’s office directed the Karnataka Chief Secretary to initiate a formal investigation. The Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate began its probe in March 2024, uncovering evidence of systemic caste-based discrimination.

However, Das claimed that the inquiry itself led to intensified harassment from the institute’s administration. In a letter dated May 15, 2024, to the Principal Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, Das asserted that the retaliatory actions included a show-cause notice accusing him of unauthorized media communication.

Findings of the Investigation

The DCRE investigation, detailed in report number 86/HP/DCRE/2024, substantiated the allegations against the accused. Key charges include:

• Public Revelation of Caste: Deliberate disclosure of Professor Das's caste via mass email by Dr. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director, and Dr. Dinesh Kumar, Dean (Faculty).

• Denial of Equal Opportunities: Systematic denial of workplace opportunities and exclusion from institutional activities.

• Failure to Address Grievances: Non-compliance with statutory requirements to establish grievance redressal mechanisms for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) members.

The findings were submitted to the Principal Secretary of the Social Welfare Department on November 26, 2024. Subsequently, the Social Welfare Commissioner directed the Bangalore Police Commissioner to register an FIR against the accused on December 9 (No. Sakani/CS-1/CR-4/2024-25). However, no FIR has been registered by the Mico Layout Police Station, raising concerns about administrative inaction.

Legal Proceedings

In a parallel development, all the accused, including board chairman Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, approached the Karnataka High Court seeking a stay on the DCRE investigation.

Renowned activist Anil Wagde shared that Dr. Shetty was also questioned during the DCRE investigation. However, before the inquiry could conclude, he obtained a stay order from the Karnataka High Court.

While the High Court denied the stay for most accused, it granted temporary relief to Dr. Shetty (WP: 19036 of 2024). The Advocate General of Karnataka is reportedly working to vacate this stay, signaling potential legal consequences for all implicated individuals.

Activists and members of the academic community have called for institutional reforms, including the establishment of robust grievance redressal mechanisms to protect the rights of marginalized groups.

Nagsen Sonare, National President of BANAE, told The Mooknayak that he had written to Bangalore Police Commissioner B. Dayananda over a week ago, urging the registration of an FIR against the IIM Bangalore Director, Dean, and other faculty members as directed by the Social Welfare Department following the DCRE inquiry. However, no action has been taken yet.

The Karnataka government is under pressure to expedite the legal process and ensure accountability. With the ADGP’s findings corroborating Professor Das’s allegations, stakeholders await the Police Commissioner’s action and further developments in the High Court.

When approached by The Mooknayak, Commissioner B. Dayananda refrained from responding to text messages or email seeking an update on the matter. The lack of communication from the IPS officer has further fueled criticism of the police department's handling of the case.

This case, involving allegations of caste-based discrimination at one of India’s premier institutions, continues to draw national attention as calls for justice grow louder. BANAE and other organizations have vowed to intensify their efforts until accountability is ensured.

Update: IIM Bangalore Refutes Discrimination Allegations by Dr. Gopal Das in Press Statement

The IIM-B has strongly denied allegations of caste-based discrimination leveled against it by Dr. Gopal Das, Associate Professor at the institute. After The Mooknayak report was published, IIMB issued a press statement and shared on its social media handles where the Institute reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunity, emphasizing that the institution has always upheld constitutional values and maintained a discrimination-free atmosphere.

IIMB clarified that Dr. Das’s allegations emerged only after his promotion application was put on hold due to complaints of harassment filed by doctoral students. The institute revealed that an internal inquiry, which included a reputed academic from the SC community, found merit in the students’ grievances. Following this, IIMB’s Diversity and Inclusion Grievance Redressal Committee (DIGRC) examined Dr. Das’s allegations of harassment and discrimination and deemed them unfounded.

The statement highlighted the institute’s long-standing practices of fostering diversity and inclusion through initiatives like its Diversity and Inclusion Cell and adherence to constitutional mandates on reservations for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS students in its academic programs.

IIMB stated that since Dr. Das’s recruitment in 2018, the institute had extended substantial support, including appointing him as an Associate Professor based on his qualifications, offering competitive incentives, and entrusting him with key positions such as Chairperson of the Institutional Review Board. He was also involved in committees like Career Development Services and Diversity & Inclusion, and allowed to teach courses of his choice.

IIMB acknowledged an ongoing investigation by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) but noted it has not received a copy of the investigation report.

" It is to be noted that the entire evidence of the above has been provided by IIMB to the DCRE. However, from the news reports suggesting that the Institute has been indicted, it appears that the same has not been considered by the DCRE. IIMB remains committed to fostering an inclusive academic community and will continue to uphold its legacy of excellence and integrity, and will take appropriate action in consultation with legal experts", the statement read.