Parliamentary Committee on SC/ST Welfare Issues Notice to IIM Bangalore and Ministry of Education Over Promotion Disparities and Caste Discrimination Allegations

New Delhi- The Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has taken cognizance of serious allegations regarding inconsistencies in faculty promotion practices, reservation compliance, and potential caste-based discrimination at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB).

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued an official notice to the Secretary, Ministry of Education (Department of Higher Education), and the Director of IIM Bangalore, directing them to submit a factual response to a representation filed by Nagsen Sonare, National President of the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers (BANAE), on or before February 16.

In an Office Memorandum dated February 3, Deputy Secretary Mohan Arumala forwarded a copy of the representation addressed to the Committee's Chairperson, Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste, and requested both entities to examine its contents and provide a detailed factual position.

The representation highlights apparent deviations in applying promotion norms at IIMB, an institution of national importance established under the Indian Institutes of Management Act. Key concerns include:

Differential Treatment in Promotions: Associate Professor Gopal Das, a Scheduled Caste (SC) faculty member in the Marketing area, has been denied promotion to full professor since 2022. The institute has cited pending inquiries/investigations and related proceedings (including student harassment complaints) as the reason. In contrast, Professor Ashish Mishra (also from the Marketing area) was recently promoted, despite being named as an accused in the same caste discrimination case.

Caste-Based Discrimination Allegations: Prof. Das alleged systemic discrimination, including public humiliation, exclusion from committees and activities, restricted access to resources, and denial of equal opportunities due to his caste. These claims surfaced prominently in January 2024 when he wrote to President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to IIMB, prompting an investigation by Karnataka's Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE).

DCRE Probe and Legal Proceedings: The DCRE inquiry found prima facie evidence of violations under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, recommending criminal action. This led to the registration of FIR No. 0467/2024 in December 2024 at Mico Layout Police Station, Bengaluru, against eight individuals, including IIMB Director Dr. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Dean (Faculty) Dr. Dinesh Kumar, and professors such as Ashish Mishra, Chetan Subramanian, Rahul De, Sreelata Jonnalagedda, Sainesh G, and Srinivas Prakhya. The case (Criminal Case No. 14410/2024) is pending before the competent court, with some proceedings stayed by the Karnataka High Court in late 2024.

The representation points to publicly reported concerns, including irregular implementation of reservation rosters, absence or ineffective functioning of a dedicated SC/ST Cell (as per Government of India guidelines), and recurring allegations of a hostile work environment for SC/ST faculty and staff. Prof. Das is described as an internationally recognized academic with publications in top journals and multiple awards, suggesting the promotion denial may not stem from performance issues.

The representation emphasizes that IIMB is bound by the IIM Act (as amended), Government of India reservation and promotion policies, and constitutional provisions under Articles 14, 15, 16, and 17. It clarifies that the matter is sub judice and does not seek adjudication of individual disputes or inferences of guilt.

Instead, it requests the Committee to examine, based on public records and institutional disclosures, whether uniform promotion standards, proper reservation implementation, effective grievance redressal mechanisms, and safeguards against caste-based discrimination are being upheld, and if corrective measures are needed.