“Caste discrimination”: IIT Madras refutes allegations, probe panel to submit report shortly

Vipin P Veetil, an assistant professor from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, had quit the institute in July 2021 alleging caste discrimination. 

We do not permit discrimination of any kind: IIT Madras 

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has refuted all allegations levelled by assistant professor Vipin P Veetil. The institute has released a statement negating existence of such discrimination in the premier institute. It read, “The institute does not permit discrimination of any kind, including religious or caste discrimination. There are grievance redressal mechanisms in place for students as well as employees, and the process is initiated promptly when a complaint is received. Students are familiarised with this during their orientation programme. Faculty join in ones and twos, they meet the Dean, Director and Head of Department and are provided documentation on the processes followed in the institute.”

It further read, “In this instant case too, as soon as a complaint was received, a committee was constituted to look into it. The committee members, as always, do not include anyone connected with the complainant or the department/individuals against whom the grievance is lodged. The committee is enquiring into the matter and is expected to submit its report shortly.” 

In his resignation letter, which went viral on social media, Vipin P Veetil claimed, “One of the primary reasons for my leaving the institute is the caste discrimination I have faced at the HSS department since my joining in March 2019...The discrimination came from individuals in positions of power irrespective of their claimed political affiliations and gender. There were multiple specific instances of discrimination, and I shall be pursuing appropriate actions to address the matter.” 

Veetil has also filed a complaint with the OBC Commission in New Delhi, requesting the body to investigate the reported case of caste discrimination. Despite repeated attempts, assistant professor Vipin P Veetil could not be contacted for a comment. 

Students demand proper implementation of quota policy at IIT Madras  

Aswindev C from ChintaBAR, a student body at IIT Madras, said, “We stick to our demands about the setting up of permanent Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Class cells and to ensure proper implementation of reservation in student/research scholar admission and faculty recruitment.” 

He said, “We even took to social media, alleging that IITs have been in the news recently for caste discrimination against students and persistent violation of reservation norms in admission to PhD admissions and faculty recruitment.” 

He said, “We want authorities to conduct an inquiry in a time-bound manner into the resignation of Veetil. We urge students, faculty and administration to come together to ideate on the reforms required to make our academic spaces more inclusive.” 

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