The faculty members alleged that, in addition to additional responsibilities, they were being treated merely as temporary assignments.
Published Jul 07, 2025 | 2:18 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 07, 2025 | 2:18 PM
Bangalore University.
Synopsis: A group of Dalit faculty members at Bangalore University alleged caste-based discrimination in the recruitment to statutory posts and wrote a letter to the VC threatening to quit if their demands were not met.
Dalit faculty members at Bangalore University alleged caste-based discrimination in the recruitment to statutory posts and wrote a letter to the Vice-Chancellor (VC) threatening to quit if their demands were not met.
In a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, Directors, Special Officers, Nodal Officers and Coordinators, dated 2 July, 1o Dalit faculty members claimed that they were being “sidelined even after shouldering multiple administrative responsibilities in addition to their academic duties for the past several years.
“…in recent times, we have observed that the university has been following a discriminatory policy in the recruitment to statutory posts, particularly against the majority Dalit community within the university. We strongly object to this bias,” they said.
“By taking on these extra roles, they have helped reduce the burden on the administrative wing and have contributed significantly to the overall development of the University.”
The faculty members alleged that, in addition to additional responsibilities, they were being treated merely as temporary assignments.
“Consequently, unlike before, we are being denied Earned Leave (EL) credit for these roles, despite being eligible,” adding that their previous representations on this issue have received no consideration from the administration.
The signatories are Professor Somashekhar C, Director, Ambedkar Research Centre; Professor Vijayakumar H Doddamani, Director, Babu Jagjivan Ram Research Centre; Professor Nagesh PC, Director, Students Welfare; Professor Krishnamurthy G, Special Officer, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; Professor Sudesh V, Coordinator, PM-USHA; Professor Muralidhar BL, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education; Professor Shashidhar M, Director, Malviya Teachers Training Institute; Professor Ramesh, Director, Broadcasting; Dr Suresh R, Director, Equal Opportunities Cell, and Dr Kumbinarasayya S, Director, BOL Centre.
They have threatened to resign if their demands are not addressed within a week. “…if our demands are not addressed immediately, it may be considered that we have resigned from the following responsibilities.”
South First tried contacting Bangalore University VC Dr Jayakara Shetty M over the phone and left a message, but did not receive any response.
Meanwhile, The Indian Express reported that a communication was issued by the university, explaining the situation.
In the communication, Bangalore University said, “The university acknowledges that faculty members serving as Coordinators, Directors, Special Officers, Chief Wardens, and Chairs of Study Centres are performing crucial administrative duties, similar to the responsibilities handled by Department Chairpersons. Their roles have been recognised as ‘essential services’, and they are equally accountable for the functioning of their respective departments and centres.”
“However, in certain departments where the position of Head has not been officially sanctioned due to the absence of approved bylaws, the services of Coordinating Officers are currently being utilised. The university intends to amend the existing bylaws to formalise the appointment of Heads for such departments.”
“Once these amendments are approved, the university will take necessary steps to provide Earned Leave (EL) benefits and other applicable remuneration to Coordinating Officers who have been performing these additional responsibilities in departments that currently lack sanctioned Head positions,” it added.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
