Allegations of Caste Discrimination and Misuse of Authority Against Kerala University Dean
Vipin Vijayan, a PhD scholar at Kerala University, has accused Dr. C. N. Vijayakumari, the Dean of the Sanskrit Department, of caste discrimination and abuse of authority after she allegedly withheld his PhD degree. Vijayan claims that Dr. Vijayakumari has affiliations with the RSS-BJP and asserts that her actions are rooted in caste prejudice.
In a public statement, the Dalit scholar recounted remarks attributed to the Dean, stating she said, “No matter how much a Pulayan or Parayan bows, Sanskrit will never yield to them as it does to Brahmins,” and accused her of deliberately obstructing his PhD award process.
Vipin expressed the emotional toll of being labeled as someone who “doesn’t know Sanskrit,” which he described as an indelible mark causing unhealable wounds. He holds an M.Phil in Sanskrit from the same department, guided and examined by an approved university board, yet he claims that the final stage of his PhD was obstructed by the same professor.
“If I don’t know Sanskrit, then on what basis did she guide me and approve my M.Phil degree?” he questioned, highlighting what he perceives as inconsistencies in her accusations. Vipin has also alleged that her motives are linked to his political background as a former member of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI).
He clarified that he holds degrees from both Sree Sankaracharya University and Kerala University, disputing media portrayals of him as the “former general secretary” of the Research Scholars’ Union, stating he never filed for nomination.
While asserting his leftist political beliefs, he questioned why his political affiliations are scrutinized while Dr. Vijayakumari’s affiliations with the RSS-BJP are overlooked. “How do I become a criminal while she is portrayed as a saint?” he asked, expressing frustration over how facts are reported in the media.
Regarding his PhD thesis, titled Sadgurusarvasam: A Study, which was written in English per university regulations, Vijayan noted that it was positively evaluated by two academic experts appointed by the Vice-Chancellor. He stated that all reviewers recommended his degree, and the open defense was chaired by Professor Anil Pratap Giri from Allahabad University.
Despite this, he claimed that the Dean refused to sign off on his file, telling him he was “not qualified even to utter a word in Sanskrit.” He challenged Dr. Vijayakumari’s authority, asking what moral, legal, or academic grounds she had to contest the verdicts of experienced evaluators.
Vijayan also alleged she made derogatory comments such as, “This department has become impure, it must be purified again.” After enduring repeated humiliation in silence, he is now considering legal action. “I have suffered enough. The Dean’s caste prejudice and misuse of authority cannot go unchecked,” he stated, calling for her immediate removal.
He further asserted that confidential reports about his thesis had surfaced in the media, alleging a coordinated effort to damage his academic reputation. “Those who claim to protect the university are acting like ferocious dogs to attack me,” he remarked, emphasizing that no student should be subjected to such abuse of power.
Struggling financially through part-time jobs, Vijayan lamented the impact of the delay in his degree on his life. He described the PhD as his dream and stated, “With just one letter from the Dean, my entire life has been shattered. It feels like all the degrees I earned through hard work are now worthless.”
The situation illuminates significant issues related to caste dynamics and academic integrity within India’s educational institutions.
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