Prem Birhade, a recent Dalit graduate from the University of Sussex, has reportedly been compelled to forfeit a job offer at Heathrow Airport in London due to alleged caste-based discrimination by his former institution, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Pune. Prakash Ambedkar, chief of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), has brought these claims to light.
Ambedkar stated that Prem had submitted all necessary academic documentation for verification. However, the college allegedly declined to validate his credentials based on his caste. The principal of the college, Dr. Nivedita Gajanan Ekbote, who is also the Maharashtra Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, was accused of allowing her political affiliations to affect administrative actions.
“Prem’s verification was previously provided when he was in London for his studies,” Ambedkar noted. “Yet, when he sought it again for employment, the college administration inquired about his caste.”
Prem, hailing from Nandurbar, a poverty-stricken tribal district, faces significant barriers despite having pursued higher education abroad. Ambedkar emphasized that this case exemplifies the ongoing systemic discrimination Dalit youth encounter, impeding their progress.
He called for urgent intervention, underscoring that Prem’s story reflects the broader challenges faced by Dalit students limited by their caste. In a viral video, Prem asserted, “I am not begging; I am demanding my rights.” He further commented on social media, stating, “The UK gave me a degree and a job, but a Pune college took away the opportunity,” and emphasized that his struggle for society has only just begun.
In response, Dr. Ekbote contended that Prem’s approach to the college had been problematic, citing his “unsatisfactory conduct and disciplinary record” as the basis for withholding the verification. She stated that he had already received multiple Letters of Recommendation and a Bonafide Certificate from the college in the past.
The incident has ignited controversy, sparking outrage across social media platforms and highlighting the deep-rooted caste biases present within Pune’s academic institutions and beyond. Observers have noted the long-standing caste dynamics, with one user lamenting, “Pune was always casteist and will remain that way.”
Academic commentators have addressed the structural challenges faced by marginalized caste students in accessing global opportunities, contrasting their experiences with those of elite students who obtain overseas placements with relative ease.
Legal experts and social commentators have weighed in, emphasizing that this situation exemplifies the “merit-based” barriers that demand greater representation policies. Concerns were raised that caste discrimination can have far-reaching consequences that affect lives on a global scale.
This case continues to underscore the complexities surrounding caste discrimination in India, prompting calls for accountability and systemic change.
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