Keralam: A Dalit research scholar at Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University (TEMU) has accused an Assistant Professor of caste-based discrimination, harassment and obstructing her doctoral research.
Anagha Sasi has been protesting at the university in Tirur since August 15, alleging she faced discrimination and academic difficulties from her research guide and university authorities. She accused Assistant Professor Arun Babu V, who refuted the allegations and said he was not her formal research supervisor.
Anagha joined the doctoral programme at the School of Environmental Science in March 2024. She holds an MSc in Environmental Science and Management and is researching microplastics, The News Minute reported.
In her conversation with the online news media, Anagha said she was not given access to the laboratory for more than two years, her synopsis was not checked and her doctoral committee was not constituted. She claimed that she was made to clean the laboratory and classrooms instead.
Anagha said she stopped doing the cleaning work after facing health issues and requested Arun Babu for a lab assistant, which was reportedly denied.
“I was not provided a chair in the PhD students’ cabin and had to sit outside while other research scholars used the cabin,” she said.
Anagha has accused Arun Babu of making derogatory comments about her caste on several occasions.
She claimed that during a class, the professor asked students about their caste while discussing opportunities to become assistant professors.
Anagha was awarded a Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) Fellowship in Environmental Sciences after a written examination in 2024.
“He told me I received the fellowship because of my Scheduled Caste community and threatened to stop the fellowship,” she said.
Anagha said she submitted several complaints to the university in August 2025 but did not receive a satisfactory resolution.
In 2025, she filed a complaint with Higher Education Minister R Bindu over the prolonged obstruction, harassment and academic neglect, leading to severe mental distress.
This year, she submitted a complaint to the Keralam Chief Minister’s Office, following which an officer was appointed to inquire into the matter.
Rejecting the allegation, Arun Babu said there was no restriction on Anagha’s use of the laboratory and denied forcing her to clean the lab or classrooms.
He also disputed her claim that he failed to correct her synopsis. According to him, he is not her formal research supervisor.
However, a joining report issued by the Registrar-in-Charge on July 25, 2024, lists Arun Babu as Anagha’s guide.
According to him, Anagha missed two doctoral committee meetings because she did not submit her final synopsis despite receiving extensions.
The allegations and counterclaims remain under examination as the authorities continue to look into the matter.
