CHENNAI: A city college has initiated disciplinary proceedings against a student for sharing an image portraying Dalit students in bad light on WhatsApp.
The image, posted in a WhatsApp group of the students of YMCA College of Physical Education, Nandanam, caused an uproar among some of the students last Thursday.
It happened in the backdrop of the college students planning a protest against caste-based discrimination among other things.
“The image was aimed at ridiculing the reservation system by comparing the exam preparatory methods of Dalit students and students belonging to other communities,” said Amaran, a YMCA student who filed a complaint against this with the management.
The image shows Dalit students sleeping away while the others were preparing for their examinations.
Abhu, a Dalit student from YMCA said, “On a sarcastic note, this image suggested that the reservation system supported us even if we didn’t take our exams seriously.”
“Once the image was posted in the group, there was a furore among students. But the seniors intervened and ensured that there was no commotion in the campus,” said Vivin, another student.
Students alleged that this was not an isolated incident as Dalit students were discriminated on caste lines in the college by some of the staff and students on several occasions.
“An assistant professor handling classes for postgraduate students overtly asked other community students not to sit near me in classes. Despite complaining this with the management and local police, no action was taken against him”, Abhu told Express.
With the students raising this issue during a sit-in protest on Monday, the management had agreed to resolve it. The College Correspondent and Secretary, A J Manohar said, “Since it is a very sensitive issue, we have constituted a one-man committee immediately to enquire into the allegation. His findings will be submitted before the college’s discipline committee comprising four senior professors.”
“If the charges are found to be true, the student will face suspension,” he told Express.