A detailed investigation by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) has confirmed allegations of caste-based discrimination at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore. The inquiry, which was submitted to the Karnataka Social Welfare Department on November 26, 2024, reveals serious concerns about the treatment of Professor Gopal Das, a Dalit faculty member, by the institution’s administration.
Professor Das, who joined IIM Bangalore in 2018, is a respected academic with an impressive track record. He has been recognized as one of the top professors by Stanford University for five years in a row. Despite his accomplishments, Das alleges that he faced discrimination at the hands of faculty members, including being excluded from institutional activities and denied opportunities.
Das claims that his caste was publicly revealed through mass emails, subjecting him to humiliation. He also accused the administration of forcing him to withdraw from elective courses and PhD programs. In a letter to the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, during her visit to the institute in January 2024, Das detailed these allegations.
The DCRE’s investigation confirmed that there was a deliberate revelation of Das’s caste by IIM Bangalore’s Director, Dr. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, and Dean (Faculty) Dr. Dinesh Kumar, via a mass email. The investigation also revealed that the institute had failed to comply with statutory requirements to create grievance redressal mechanisms for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) members.
Following the investigation, the Social Welfare Commissioner directed the Bangalore Police Commissioner to file an FIR against the accused on December 9. However, as of now, no action has been taken, leading to concerns over the lack of progress.
Activist Nagsen Sonare from the Bharatiya Dalit Adhikar Andolan (BANAE) urged the authorities to act. “The lack of action is deeply troubling,” said Sonare. “The police must register the FIR as directed by the Social Welfare Department.”
The Karnataka High Court has also become involved in the matter. The accused, including IIM Bangalore’s Board Chairman Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, sought a stay on the investigation. While most of the accused were denied relief, Dr. Shetty received temporary relief, with the Advocate General working to vacate the stay.
In response to the allegations, IIM Bangalore issued a press statement denying the claims of caste-based discrimination. The institute stated that the allegations came to light after Professor Das’s promotion application was delayed due to complaints about his behaviour towards students. IIMB also mentioned that an internal inquiry into the complaints found merit in the students’ grievances.
“IIMB is committed to inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunity,” said an IIMB spokesperson. “We have always upheld constitutional values and maintained a discrimination-free environment.”
