Dalit prof at Hyderabad university complains against ABVP leader
HYDERABAD: KARAN PALSANIYA IS A NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE ABVP AND CONTESTED FOR THE POST OF THE STUDENT PRESIDENT
A Dalit professor at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has accused authorities of ignoring his complaint against a leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), who allegedly made an abusive comment against him on social media.
K Laxminarayana of the School of Economics complained in his letter to vice-chancellor P Appa Rao on November 30 last year that Karan Palsaniya, a research scholar, used filthy words on his Facebook page against him for asking a question about privatisation and saffronisation of education.
“There had been no communication from the vice-chancellor’s office until December 30. I sent a reminder as to what action the authorities are taking with regard to my complaint. I got a mail from them stating that the complaint was referred to a proctorial board which would look into it,” Laxminarayana told HT.
“Two days back, I mailed the board again, as well as the V-C, to know the status. Till now, I have no clue as to what is happening. It clearly shows the kind of discrimination the Dalit faculty and students are facing ...” he added.
Palsaniya, a history student, deleted the comment after the professor lodged his complaint.
Palsaniya is a national council member of the ABVP and unsuccessfully contested for the post of the president in the recent UoH students union elections.
“What is the fundamental objective of a public university? What are the new objectives being thrust on the public university because of privatisation and saffronisation of education?” Laxminarayana had asked.
“We have a subject called economics of education, where we teach various government policies pertaining to education. The particular question was asked in that context. It was an optional question... Moreover, they can also write the answer defending privatisation and saffronisation,” he said.