From Classroom Denials to Restricted Participation: How A Dalit Professor Faced Exclusion at IIM Bangalore?

Bengaluru- The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) finds itself at the center of a storm following allegations of caste-based discrimination made by Dr. Gopal Das, an Associate Professor at the institution.

Despite a detailed investigation by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) that corroborated Dr. Das's claims, IIMB recently issued a press statement denying the accusations. The move has sparked outrage among Bahujan organizations and activists, who have dismissed the institute’s rebuttal as an attempt to deflect accountability.

The DCRE's investigation report (No. 86/HP/DCRE/2024), submitted to the Karnataka Social Welfare Department on November 26, unveiled systemic caste discrimination and constitutional violations by key officials, including the Director, Dean (Faculty), and six other faculty members. The report accused IIMB of fostering a hostile environment against marginalized faculty members, prompting the Social Welfare Commissioner to direct the registration of an FIR against the implicated officials.

However, after a report published by The Mooknayak on December 19, that disclosed findings of the DCRE report, led to pressure from Bahujan activists and other media outlets and the FIR was registered next day.

However, in a latest development, it is known that the Karnataka High Court has stayed all proceedings arising out of DCRE report.

Bahujan Activist Challenge IIMB’s Defense

Anil H Wagde, a prominent anti-caste activist and member of Ambedkar International Center, issued a scathing critique of IIMB’s statement. He systematically dismantled the institute's claims, asserting that the allegations against Dr. Das are “blatantly false, vindictive, and demeaning.”

Speaking with The Mooknayak, Wagde stated, " The institute's claim that Dr Gopal Das voluntarily revealed his caste is false and baseless. Since IIM Bangalore asked for all demographics and social information, Prof. Gopal Das shared his caste with other demographics with only one person, the Dean (Faculty), for administrative use, which aligns with the standard recruitment practice.

He applied through general merits on 12 December 2017. However, the accused Dean (faculty) revealed his caste through mass email on 29 January 2018 with all PhD students and faculty. Prof. Das was recruited through general merit, and many accused opposed recruitment. IIM Bangalore started reservations in late 2019 following the Government of India directive; Prof. Das was offered in January 2018."

Refuting IIM Bangalore's claim that the institute did not deny equal opportunities, Wagde contended that since his joining in April 2018, Dr. Gopal Das has had to continuously fight for his rights, equal opportunities, dignity, and welfare.

According to Wagde, Dr. Das has endured over 100 instances of caste-based discrimination and harassment during his tenure.

Highlighting specific examples, Wagde pointed out that the accused director and administration systematically limited Dr. Das’s teaching opportunities. Although the institute claimed that offering MBA electives depended on student preferences, they allegedly ensured Dr. Das did not receive adequate support, such as teaching assistants, to run his courses effectively. His electives were often discontinued after just one or two semesters, and he was not assigned any core courses. Additionally, Dr. Das’s name was reportedly disguised during the MBA course bidding process, a move Wagde described as humiliating.

Moreover, Wagde emphasized that Dr. Das was excluded from participating in key institute activities and committees. Despite receiving exceptional teaching feedback and producing notable research and publications, he was denied equal opportunities in PhD teaching, a process controlled by the accused individuals.

These actions, Wagde argued, reflect a deliberate and ongoing effort to marginalize Dr. Das within the institution.

Wagde further stated that despite Dr. Das’s exemplary performance, with over 2,000 work points (far exceeding the 200 work points required for promotion at IIM Bangalore), his promotion to full professor has faced repeated delays and obstructions.

Dr. Das initially applied for promotion in 2021 but received no response. He reapplied in March 2022, and by January 2023, an external recruitment committee had recommended his promotion. " When the external recruitment committee recommended his promotion, vulnerable PhD students who were taught 3-4 years back were motivated to file false and anonymous complaints. The copies of the complaints were not shared with Prof. Das" Wagde said.

He further alleged that this recommendation was followed by a retaliatory move—a pre-doctoral student was allegedly motivated to file a false sexual harassment complaint against Dr. Das.

The IIMB Director subsequently instructed the institute's disciplinary committee to investigate the complaint.

An investigation by the Internal Committee (IC) of IIM Bangalore found the allegations against Dr. Das to be baseless and motivated, clearing him of all charges. On the contrary, the IC found the IIMB Director, Rishikesha T. Krishnan, guilty of violating confidentiality norms under the POSH Act, 2013.

The Director had disclosed the allegations against Dr. Das in a mass email, a breach of confidentiality standards. Despite the IC’s recommendation for disciplinary action against the Director, no action was taken, raising questions about the institution’s commitment to accountability and fairness.

In response to the allegation that Dr. Das attempted to subvert the inquiry process, Wagde dismissed it as false. He explained that the female PhD student in question had been found guilty of plagiarism in an assignment for Dr. Das’s course, titled "RPCB."

This determination was made by the PhD office committee, chaired by Prof. Ananth Krishnamurthy (also the PhD Chairperson), along with Prof. Shainesh G (who has been accused of caste discrimination) and Prof. Rejie George (an IIMB Board member). The committee penalized the student with a low grade, a decision unrelated to Dr. Das.

Wagde further alleged that the same student was later motivated to file a false complaint against Dr. Das. He emphasized that this complaint was thoroughly investigated and ultimately deemed unfounded. This, according to Wagde, demonstrates the baseless nature of the claim that Dr. Das attempted to interfere with any inquiry process.

Kiran Kumar Gowd, President of All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA), criticized the institution for its failure to establish statutory SC, ST, and OBC cells or include community representatives in its grievance redressal mechanisms, as required by law. He also demanded resignation of the Director on moral grounds.

The Mooknayak sent a mail to Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIMB, seeking clarity on the future course of action in light of the FIR filed against eight professors, including the director, but unfortunately, hasn't received a response yet.