Former CM Ashok Gehlot, LoP Jully Slams Rajasthan University's 'Dalit-Hostile' Neglect: Ambedkar Chair Scrapped in Secrecy, Phule Removed from Syllabus!

Jaipur- Rajasthan's former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully unleashed a blistering attack on Rajasthan University (RU), branding its handling of the dissolved Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair as a "Dalit-hostile" conspiracy that reeks of systemic erasure of social justice icons. In a scathing statement, Jully connected the dots between the chair's quiet scrapping by the central government and the recent removal of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule from the university's curriculum, vowing that such "calculated sabotage" will not go unchallenged.

The controversy erupted from an investigative report by Dainik Navjyoti, which revealed RU's shocking ignorance of the Ambedkar Chair's abolition due to prolonged inactivity.

At RU, however, chronic neglect turned the unit into a "junk-filled ghost" space: cluttered rooms, no clerical staff, and zero programs for PhDs, MPhils, or certificate courses. An RTI query confirmed the damning truth: "The Ambedkar Chair has been abolished by the competent authority due to inactivity, per Note No. R.A./Ad/50681." Astonishingly, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Alpana Kateja appointed Dr. Tarun Kumar Jorwal from the Law Department as chairperson in March 2025 – nine months after the cancellation, signing off on a leadership role for a defunct entity.

Dr. Jorwal, now the "outgoing" chairperson, confessed his unawareness: "I was appointed in March 2025. I had no information that its recognition had ended."

When pressed by the media VC Kateja answered a call once, heard the query, and abruptly hung up. Subsequent WhatsApp messages, texts, and voice notes drew zero reply, underscoring a veil of administrative opacity.

Ashok Gehlot took to x to express his disappointment. He wrote: "The closure of the chair established in the name of the architect of the Indian Constitution, Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, at the University of Rajasthan by the central government, and the administration's apparent unawareness of the matter, is extremely unfortunate. Such a deplorable state of affairs and gross negligence regarding a chair established in the name of Baba Saheb in an institution of learning is inexcusable. This incident reflects the university administration's indifference towards social justice and respect for national heroes. The central and state governments should take immediate notice of this matter."

Jully, speaking to reporters, didn't mince words: "RU's indifference kept the Ambedkar Chair dormant until it was axed. Just weeks ago, Jyotiba Phule was yanked from the syllabus. This is no accident – it's a deliberate plot to obliterate the legacies of social justice warriors. Even with a Dalit higher education minister in place, this blatant disrespect has ignited fury in the Dalit community. We demand accountability from the Governor and Chief Minister. This anti-Dalit policy is intolerable!"

The backlash is building. Dr. Sajjan Kumar Saini, a Post-Doctoral Fellow at RU, echoed Juli's outrage: "Eighty years post-Independence, treating Ambedkar's chair like this is a national shame. The university's disdain for social justice pioneers is unacceptable – students will rise against it."

Experts warn this lapse undermines education's role as a "laboratory for equity," sidelining marginalized voices and stunting vital discourse on inclusion. While peer institutions thrive on Ambedkar's endowments, RU's failure highlights a troubling trend of institutional amnesia toward India's constitutional architect.