IIM-B professor accuses director, 7 others of caste discrimination

Bengaluru: An Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIMB) professor has accused eight of his colleagues, including the director, Rishikesha T Krishnan, of the premier business school of caste-based discrimination.
Prof Gopal Das, an associate professor in marketing, wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, who had visited IIM-B on January 3. In view of the complaint, the President’s office ordered the state govt to initiate an inquiry, following which, the directorate of civil rights enforcement (DCRE) has commenced a probe.

Prof Das complained he had been subjected to discrimination, denial of fair promotion and harassment by the management, seniors and colleagues over his Scheduled Caste credential.IIMB authorities have denied the allegations. Prof Das, who had joined IIMB in 2018, alleged he was denied opportunities in institutional activities, forced to withdraw elective courses and PhD programmes, denied access to the institute’s resources and humiliated by being referred to as a member of a “lower caste”.