After a Dalit student of JNU sent letters to its Vice-Chancellor alleging discrimination and threatened to commit suicide, nine more students of the varsity today said they are being "harassed on the basis of caste".
The Dalit student had sent two letters to the VC threatening that he would his life if his research grant is not extended next year,
The researcher with International Organisation (ORG) division, CIPOD, alleged that he has been "discriminated and harassed" by his department which is trying to "block his PhD".
Nine more students of the department today said they are being "harassed on the basis of caste".
In a meeting of CIPOD, where Dean of School of International Studies (SIS) Anuradha Chenoy was present, a number of recommendations were made and decisions taken to resolve all the issues of the students.
"We understand there are 'outstanding issues' but we are committed to resolving them. Since the total period of non-NET and NET fellowship combined cannot exceed five years as per UGC guidelines and the student has already availed a fellowship for three years and five months and NET fellowship for the remaining period, there is a technical issue.
"Efforts are being made by the JNU administration to resolve these issues and help the student," Chenoy said.
The newly-appointed VC, Jagdeesh Kumar, said, "The issue is being looked into and we will try our best to help the students complete their education so that they become agents of social change."
"As far as discrimination is concerned, I don't think anyone of us as teachers will ever try to discriminate anybody on any basis...Students' interest is always going to be my topmost priority," said Kumar, who took charge of the post today.
Also, the HRD Ministry today asked the varsity to look into the "genuine" grievances of the Dalit scholar and resolve the matter promptly.
The Ministry has drawn flak over the suicide of Rohith, a Dalit scholar at Hyderabad Central University.
