Proud Moment: When a Caste-Humiliated IIMB Professor Rises to #1 in India, Top 20 Worldwide

Bengaluru- Professor Gopal Das, a Dalit scholar and Associate Professor of Marketing at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), has etched his name among the world’s top 20 marketing researchers, securing the #1 rank in India and #2 in Asia. Announced in August by Marketing Big15 USA, this honor celebrates his prolific contributions to the prestigious Marketing Big 15 journals, elite publications recognized by the University of Texas at Dallas, Financial Times, and other global benchmarks, from 2018 to 2025.

As the only Indian in this exclusive global cohort, Das has not only brought pride to IIMB but has also elevated India’s standing in the global academic arena. Yet, his journey is shadowed by a courageous fight for dignity against alleged caste-based humiliation at IIMB, where he claims systemic exclusion and harassment as a Scheduled Caste scholar.

The Marketing Big 15 encompasses journals from several esteemed lists:

• University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) Top 5 Marketing Journals.

• Financial Times Top 50 Journals (FT50).

• Academic Journal Guide (AJG) 4*/4 ranking by the Chartered Association of Business Schools.

• A* classification by the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC).

These journals represent the pinnacle of marketing scholarship, with rigorous peer-review processes and global influence on academic and practical marketing strategies.

In addition to his global standing:

• Ranked #1 in India.

• Ranked #2 in Asia.

• Ranked #17 worldwide.

It marks a significant milestone for Indian academia, as Das is the sole representative from the country in this elite global list.

Professor Das's recent ranking builds on a consistent track record of excellence. He has been featured in Stanford University's list of the world's top 2% scientists for five consecutive years, most recently in 2024.

Das joined IIMB in 2017 after earning his PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. His research focuses on areas like consumer emotions, sensory marketing, and ethical decision-making. He serves on editorial review boards for journals such as the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing and has directed executive programs on marketing research. Recent publications include studies on consumer empowerment and representation in marketing.

Professor Das, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and identifies as Dalit, has publicly alleged caste-based discrimination at IIMB. These claims have drawn significant attention and led to legal and institutional proceedings.

In June 2024, Das filed a complaint with President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to IIMB, accusing the then- institute's director, Rishikesha T Krishnan, dean (faculty) Dinesh Kumar, and six other faculty members of harassment, humiliation, and denial of equal opportunities based on his caste. He claimed exclusion from key committees, denial of promotions, and retaliatory investigations, including probes into alleged financial impropriety and student complaints against him.

The Karnataka government's Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) conducted an inquiry in November-December 2024. The probe report, released on December 19, 2024, confirmed violations of minority rights, finding that Das faced "humiliation and exclusion" due to caste discrimination. It recommended action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Following the report:

• On December 21, 2024, Bengaluru police registered an FIR against the eight accused under sections of the SC/ST Act and IPC for caste-based offenses.

• Student bodies like the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA) demanded the director's resignation and stricter enforcement.

However, IIMB rejected the allegations as "unfounded," stating they emerged only after Das's promotion was deferred in 2024 due to unrelated complaints of misconduct against him, including sexual harassment claims from students. The institute emphasized its commitment to inclusivity and noted that Das had been appointed to roles like Chairperson of the Institutional Review Board prior to the disputes.

By December 31, 2024, the court further stayed all proceedings, allowing the accused to challenge the FIR.

The case has sparked broader discussions on caste dynamics in elite Indian institutions, with supporters viewing Das's global ranking as a rebuttal to alleged bias. As of September 2025, the matter remains sub-judice, with no final resolution reported.