After Husband's Plea to PM Modi, Adivasi Professor's Wife Appeals to Media: 'Help Us Fight Caste Discrimination at MNNIT'

Hyderabad- The media is often called the fourth pillar of democracy, and at times when hope for justice from the executive and judiciary fades, many turn to the media as their last resort for help. Following this path, Nimmakayala Vanaja, the wife of Dr. M. Venkatesh Naik—an assistant professor who recently wrote to PM Narendra Modi alleging caste discrimination at MNNIT Allahabad (Prayagraj)—has now reached out to the media for support.

In an open letter addressed to media organizations, Vanaja has appealed for coverage of her husband's eight-year-long struggle against systemic bias. Dr. Naik, who belongs to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, has accused the institute of caste-based discrimination, deliberate career obstruction, and administrative harassment since 2017.

Earlier, Dr. Naik had detailed how the institute allegedly attempted to "systematically sabotage his career." According to Vanaja, despite submitting "all evidence and documents" to authorities—including the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)—no action has been taken so far.

In her emotional letter to the media, Vanaja expressed anguish about the neglect faced by educators from marginalized communities, "Unfortunately, in our country, whenever Scheduled Tribe (ST) faculty members face injustice, their voices often go unheard. Despite my husband's repeated efforts to reach out to media outlets for support, no one has come forward to highlight his struggle. If honest, sincere, and hardworking teachers like him are not given a platform to express the injustices they face, how can they ever expect justice?"

She further wrote, " All the proofs and documents of caste discrimination submitted by my husband have been deliberately ignored by the institute’s authorities. Every authority he approached, both within and outside the institute, has shown bias and indifference toward his grievances. Left with no option, we now turn to you — the fourth pillar of democracy — hoping that you will help us in exposing this injustice. It is not the first time such discrimination has happened in premier institutes.

We have seen similar cases in the past — Dr. Subrahmanyam Saderla at IIT Kanpur, Dr. Vipin Veetil at IIT Madras, and many others whose painful experiences made headlines. Today, my husband is facing a similar ordeal. Despite giving his best in academics and research, he continues to be victimized solely because of his caste identity. He has submitted numerous representations and complaints to higher authorities, but none have cared to address them. We humbly appeal to all media channels to extend your support in highlighting this grave injustice and help us in seeking justice for him. I sincerely hope you will stand by us in this fight against discrimination and ensure that no other teacher has to go through such humiliation in the future."

A Pattern of Institutional Apathy?

Dr. Naik alleges his promotion to Associate Professor in 2025 was deliberately blocked. No action was taken on complaints submitted to MNNIT's SC/ST Cell and the Ministry of Education. There are also allegations that his case was "misrepresented" by his lawyer in the Allahabad High Court.

Vanaja’s letter emphasizes the media’s role as the "fourth pillar of democracy" in exposing caste-based oppression. "Left with no options, we turn to you," she writes, appealing for coverage to pressure authorities into action. The case reignites debates about caste discrimination in India’s elite educational spaces