Take action against caste bias in colleges: UGC
New Delhi, Oct 15, DHNS:
Commission concerned over the escalating number of suicides by dalits in institutes, including IITs
Taking serious note of dalit students committing suicide in educational institutions, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all varsities and technical institutions to act against caste bias.
In its circular to 578 higher educational institutions, the Commission had said it is important for senior officers or faculty members –including the liaison officer—in the educational institution to “keep a close watch” and “ensure such incidents do not occur at all.”
The circular follows appeal by various organisations to the Commission to intervene against prevailing caste bias against Dalit students in many higher educational institutions, resulting in the students committing suicide.
“Instances have come to the notice of the commission about suicides being committed by dalit students in higher education institutes due to caste discrimination on grounds of social origin,” a UGC official said.
The Commission has emphasised in its circular that officials and faculty members must desist from acts of discrimination against Dalit students.
Strict actions
“If any such incident comes to the notice of the authorities, action should be taken against the erring officials or faculty members promptly,” it directed.
It also suggested officials and faculty members dealing with caste discrimination cases to be more sensitive.
It advised universities and higher educational institutions to add a webpage in their website for registering complaints against caste discrimination, while also keeping a register in the office of registrar and principal.
No records
Though the UGC does not maintain any records, nearly 18 suicides of Dalit students were said to have been reported in the last four years from the country. Though the cause for most such cases are unknown, some were attributed to caste discrimination.
The latest incident of suicide was of Manish Kumar, a second year student at IIT Roorkee, who ended his life jumping off the fifth floor of his hostel building.
Kumar’s parents later alleged and he was hurt by the “castest remarks” by some of his seniors.
The circular follows appeal by various organisations to the Commission to intervene against prevailing caste bias against Dalit students in many higher educational institutions, resulting in the students committing suicide.
“Instances have come to the notice of the commission about suicides being committed by dalit students in higher education institutes due to caste discrimination on grounds of social origin,” a UGC official said.
The Commission has emphasised in its circular that officials and faculty members must desist from acts of discrimination against Dalit students.
Strict actions
“If any such incident comes to the notice of the authorities, action should be taken against the erring officials or faculty members promptly,” it directed.
It also suggested officials and faculty members dealing with caste discrimination cases to be more sensitive.
It advised universities and higher educational institutions to add a webpage in their website for registering complaints against caste discrimination, while also keeping a register in the office of registrar and principal.
No records
Though the UGC does not maintain any records, nearly 18 suicides of Dalit students were said to have been reported in the last four years from the country. Though the cause for most such cases are unknown, some were attributed to caste discrimination.
The latest incident of suicide was of Manish Kumar, a second year student at IIT Roorkee, who ended his life jumping off the fifth floor of his hostel building.
Kumar’s parents later alleged and he was hurt by the “castest remarks” by some of his seniors.
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