Bangalore- The Dr. Babasaheb National Association of Engineers (BANAE) has demanded that IIM Bangalore Director, Rishikesha T. Krishnan, not be granted any extension beyond his current tenure ending on July 30, 2025. The demand follows serious allegations of caste discrimination, harassment, and financial irregularities under his leadership.

In a letter to the President of India and the Ministry of Education, BANAE National President Nagseen Sonare cited an investigation by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE), Karnataka Police, which found the director and other faculty members guilty of caste discrimination against a Dalit faculty member Prof Gopal Das.

An FIR (No. 467/2024) was registered on December 20, 2024, against Director Rishikesha T Krishnan and faculty members Dinesh Kumar, G Shainesh, Srinivas Prakhya, Sreelata Jonnalagedda, Rahul De, Ashis Mishra, and Chetan Subramanian.

Notably, the Karnataka High Court stayed proceedings on the FIR and all further probe against the accused individuals.

BANAE has highlighted multiple instances of alleged misconduct and violations during Krishnan’s tenure.

The association claims that over 100 students remain unplaced due to placement failures, while marginalized students have allegedly faced caste-based harassment and discrimination.

The letter claims Krishnan has been reportedly been violating the constitutional rights of minority students, along with repeated breaches of government-mandated reservation policies and constitutional protections for SC, ST, and OBC students.

Allegations of nepotism and favoritism in faculty and administrative appointments have also surfaced, alongside claims of financial irregularities in infrastructure projects, internal appointments, travel, and tenders.

Additionally, he has been accused of discriminating against a minor child, and several faculty members from marginalized backgrounds have reportedly resigned due to continued harassment.

The letter urges the government and IIMB authorities to ensure Krishnan does not receive even a single day of extension after July 30, 2025.

BANAE also raised concerns over delays in appointing the next IIMB Director, suspecting that the process is being stalled to favor Krishnan’s continuation.

Copies of the letter have been sent to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, SC/ST Parliamentary Committee Chairperson Faggan Singh Kulaste, NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana, and the NCST Chairperson.

This case has reignited debates about caste-based discrimination in India’s premier educational institutions and the need for stricter oversight to uphold constitutional protections.