A Dalit PhD scholar from Tamil Nadu studying in Malaysia has alleged that delays in receiving scholarship funds have stalled his research for nearly six months and left him facing the possibility of losing his university enrolment over unpaid fees.
Bharathidasan Raman, from Madurai, is pursuing a PhD in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at the National University of Malaysia. In an emotional video released Thursday, Raman said he feared he was being treated like “another Rohith Vemula”.
He appealed to the Tamil Nadu government either to release the pending funds or clearly state that it would not do so, allowing him to explore other options.
The allegations have triggered a political dispute in Tamil Nadu, with opposition leaders accusing the TVK government of creating hurdles for the Dalit scholar. The state government, however, has rejected the allegations and said funds have already been released, while additional research assistance is subject to expenditure documents and university approval.
Scholar Says Research Has Been Stalled
Raman has claimed that the non release of second year research funds has brought his work to a halt. He said the delay has also prevented him from presenting a research paper at AIIMS Delhi in early October.
He alleged that officials began questioning his research requirements and the materials for which he sought funding after he raised concerns about the pending assistance.
Raman has disputed the government’s claim that he has not submitted the necessary documents. He said the ₹36 lakh amount cited by the government relates to the first year allocation that he had already received, rather than the additional research assistance he is seeking for his second year.
What the Government Says
The Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship, administered by the Tamil Nadu Social Justice Department, supports Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Christian Adi Dravidar students pursuing higher education and research abroad.
The scheme covers tuition fees, visa and airfare, living expenses and research costs, with assistance of up to ₹36 lakh a year for a maximum of three years.
According to the department, Raman received a sponsorship letter in 2025 covering three years from 2025-26. The government said the full amount for his first year was released towards tuition, travel, living and research expenses.
However, beneficiaries are required to submit bills, vouchers and other supporting documents for certain expenses. The department said some documents related to Raman’s first year research expenditure were either not submitted on time or lacked sufficient explanation. It said some of the materials were submitted later, on 20 August 2026.
For the second year, the department said it released ₹12 lakh despite incomplete documentation, including ₹5.57 lakh towards tuition and ₹6.65 lakh for living expenses.
Raman subsequently sought another ₹19.50 lakh for research expenses. The department said the estimates and bills submitted by him had not been recommended by the university registrar.
The department said it wrote to the university registrar on 17 September seeking confirmation that the research materials were required for Raman’s work. The student was also copied on the email.
The government maintains that ₹48 lakh has already been provided for Raman’s first two years and says legitimate assistance is not denied when the required documents are in order.
Opposition Backs Scholar
The dispute has drawn criticism from opposition parties.
DMK president MK Stalin said Raman was “not asking for help, but demanding the right assured by the government”.
“Just because of a change in government, a student’s multi-year higher education dream should not be ruined. He says what happened to Rohith Vemula is happening to him. Even though they are our opposition, I request that the TVK government should not carry such a bad name,” Stalin said in a statement on X.
Stalin also said that if the government could not provide the funds, it should state so openly. He said the DMK and people of Tamil Nadu would pay Raman’s educational fees and ensure that he could continue his studies.
DMK MP Kanimozhi also criticised the government, questioning why the scholar was facing hurdles in receiving the scholarship.
CPI(M) Tamil Nadu secretary Shanmugam has also urged the government to release the pending funds.
Government Rejects Harassment Allegations
Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu has rejected allegations that Raman was being harassed or deliberately denied assistance.
The department maintains that the scholarship remains operational and that payments are being processed according to the scheme’s requirements.
Raman, however, continues to dispute the government’s account and says he has already submitted the required documents.
