Dalit Professor Assaulted by Right-Wing Group at Sri Venkateswara University in Andhra Pradesh

TIRUPATI: A Dalit professor, Dr. Changaiah, was allegedly assaulted by members of a right-wing group on the Sri Venkateswara University campus in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday. Dr. Changaiah, the dean of the Department of Electrical Engineering, is widely recognized for his advocacy of social justice and Dalit rights.

According to a report by India Today, the incident began when individuals, reportedly linked to the Bajrang Dal, entered the university premises and confronted Dr. Changaiah. A verbal altercation ensued, which escalated into a physical attack, leaving the professor injured.

Authorities have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter. Law enforcement has launched a search operation to locate and apprehend the suspects.

This attack has amplified concerns over the safety of Dalit community members across India, as it marks the second such violent incident reported within a week. On November 27, a 27-year-old Dalit man, Narad Jatav, was allegedly beaten to death in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district. The attack was reportedly carried out by the local sarpanch and his family over a dispute related to accessing a common handpump.

In yet another alarming incident, a Dalit associate professor at Lucknow University was recently assaulted on campus by a member of the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha. Just days earlier, students linked to the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) reportedly attacked the same professor, according to The Times of India. The university's response to these incidents remains unclear.

These repeated acts of violence highlight the growing vulnerability faced by Dalit individuals in academic and public spaces, raising urgent questions about the enforcement of legal protections and institutional accountability.