‘Dreams crushed’: Kerala University research scholar alleges caste-bias after dean denies PhD degree

A row has erupted at Kerala University after a research scholar of the Sanskrit department levelled serious allegations of caste-based discrimination against the dean over denial of a PhD degree. Research student Vipin Vijayan said the entire incident “shattered his dream” and sought removal of the faculty member.

In a Facebook post, Dalit scholar narrated how his RSS-BJP affiliated guide C N Vijayakumari allegedly put a halt on his “dreams” and accused the faculty member of manipulating his image as a Students’ Federation of India (SFI) leader “who does not know Sanskrit”.

“The label ‘does not know Sanskrit’ has been imprinted on me like an indelible scar. This false propaganda, devoid of even a trace of truth, has inflicted wounds in my life that will never heal,” the scholar said.

He related with Rohith Vemula, a PhD student at University of Hyderabad who died by suicide in 2016 over the alleged same reasons, and explicitly mentioned caste-bias. Defending allegations of not knowing the language, Vijayan clarified that he completed MPhil in Sanskrit from the university only. “It was on the basis of that MPhil qualification that I joined for my PhD research,” he said and pointed out that only those who have cleared either the university entrance test, MPhil, UGC NET, or JRF are eligible for PhD admissions.

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The scholar questioned the capabilities of Vijayakumari, who guided his MPhil dissertation, as a teacher after she told the university that he cannot read or write in Sanskrit, despite being the one to award the degree after postgraduate under her supervision.

“Did the viva board and my guide, who approved my dissertation, deceive the University? If I am a fraud, then is Dr Vijayakumari my accomplice in fraud? Or did I somehow forget Sanskrit after receiving my MPhil degree?,” he asked in the statement.

The reason behind this sudden degradation is caste-based discrimination, Vijayan argued, as he claimed to have BA and MA in Sanskrit from Sree Sankaracharya University, and BEd and MEd degrees from Kerala University.

Refuting the claims, Vijayakumari told Onmanorama that his open defence did not meet academic standards and that he failed to answer questions in any of the three languages. Her letter to the vice-chancellor, accessed by media, described the session violent and disturbing. Meanwhile, VC has reportedly ordered an investigation.

Sangh Parivar vs SFI

The research scholar pointed towards the ‘Sangh Parivar’ ideology of the dean in question and alleged his “political leaning” as one of the reasons behind refusal of his degree.

“I have been part of SFI (Students’ Federation of India). During my MA, MEd, and MPhil studies, I served as a faculty representative in the department union. I have a political ideology, and so does Dr Vijayakumari. Mine is leftist. She follows the RSS–BJP ideology and is an active member of the Sangh Parivar teachers’ organization at the University of Kerala,” he explained.

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However, he claimed not to have any association with the organisation after enrolling in PhD due to personal reasons. “Then how did I become an “SFI leader” in the media?,” he asked.

“Why is only my political leaning discussed, while Dr Vijayakumari’s political side remains hidden? How have I become the accused, and she the saint? Do facts have no place in today’s journalism? I do not know,” were the research scholar’s words.

'Assault' over PhD dissertation

According to the student, his PhD thesis “Sadgurusarvasam – A Study” was evaluated by independent experts appointed by the vice-chancellor — professor Anil Pratap Giri of Allahabad University and professor G Padmanabham of Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. Both examiners and the chairperson of his open defense, he said, had recommended the award of the PhD degree.

The scholar claimed that the dean’s remarks during and after his open defense were highly casteist, quoting her as saying that “Sanskrit will never bow to lower castes as it does to Brahmins..” He further alleged an “organised assault” claiming that she deliberately called an online group during his defense to humiliate him publicly.

The student argued that university rules allow research theses and defenses in English or Malayalam, not just in Sanskrit, and pointed out that “many theses guided by the same Dean are also written in English.” After enduring the alleged casteist slurs for years, he has now decided to take legal action.

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“A person like Dr CN Vijayakumari, who thinks and acts in ways unworthy of the honorable post of dean, should not remain in that position even for a moment. If not, the authorities must remove her. For such a person to continue would be a disgrace to this great university. No other student should be hunted down again through such abuse of power,” he remarked.

Alleging abuse of power, he accused Vijayakumari and “a few wicked forces” of snatching away his dream.

He ended the argument on the note that a letter from the dean rendered his academic achievements meaningless. “The insult “one who does not know Sanskrit” will follow me for life. I have been ostracized from the academic world. Meanwhile, the honored Dean will be glorified as the guardian of righteousness who stopped an SFI leader’s misconduct. Just as she unjustly obtained the dean’s post, more rewards will follow. With the image of being “anti-left,” she will certainly be considered for higher posts — even the vice-chancellorship. Her dreams are coming true. But my life and dreams have been crushed.”