An FIR has been filed against senior faculty members of IIM Bangalore, including the Director, following a DCRE investigation that confirmed allegations of caste-based discrimination and harassment.
Published Dec 21, 2024 | 3:43 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 21, 2024 | 3:43 PM
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (Wikimedia Commons)
The Bengaluru City Police, on 20 December, registered an FIR against eight senior faculty members of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), including its Director, based on a complaint alleging caste-based discrimination and harassment.
The complaint, lodged by Associate Professor of Marketing Gopal Das, who has been with IIM Bangalore since 2018, alleges ongoing harassment and discrimination based on his caste identity.
Das describes incidents said to have occurred on the IIM Bangalore campus, located on Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, between January 2018 and December 2024.
The FIR names eight senior faculty members: Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan (Director), Professor Dineshkumar, Professor Shainesh G, Professor Srinivas Prakhya, Professor Chetan Subramanian, Professor Ashis Mishra, Professor Sreelata Jonnalagedda, and Professor Rahul De.
The FIR has been registered at the Mico Layout Police Station under Sections 3(1)(r) (insults or intimidates SC/ST person) and 3(1)(s) (abuses SC/ST person by caste name) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Ordinance 2014 and Sections 351 (2) (criminal intimidation) and 351 (3) (criminal intimidation to cause death or grievous hurt) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The allegations first came to light in January 2024 when Das wrote to President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to IIM Bangalore, detailing incidents of exclusion, restricted academic access, and caste-based humiliation.
Das alleged that actions such as delays in promotion and exclusion from key decisions were motivated by caste-based discrimination and violated his dignity and rights under the SC/ST Act.
Following a directive from the President’s office, the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) initiated an investigation in March.
In November, the DCRE confirmed the allegations of caste-based harassment against Das.
In a statement, IIM Bangalore categorically denied the allegations, emphasising its adherence to principles of inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunity.
“IIMB is aware of the investigation initiated by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) and has shared all relevant information with them. IIMB has not been provided with a copy of any report,” the statement read.
The institution highlighted its long-standing commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment and outlined the support provided to Das since his appointment, including his recruitment as an Associate Professor—despite applying for the position of Assistant Professor—and substantial research incentives. It also noted his leadership roles in key committees.
“Dr Das’s allegations of discrimination against the Institute and its faculty arose only when his application for promotion was put on hold because of complaints of harassment lodged by some doctoral students against him.
“An enquiry conducted by IIMB as per the rules, with the committee including a reputed academic from the SC category from an eminent institution, found that the students’ complaints were justified,” the statement read.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
