THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
Over the past five years, complaints of caste-based discrimination in Indian universities and colleges have jumped by 118%. This shocking number tells us that Dalit students—those from historically oppressed castes—are facing serious problems in places that should be safe spaces for learning.
Why Are Complaints Going Up?
There are two main reasons why we’re seeing more complaints:
1. More Awareness, Not Less Discrimination
Some analysts are saying that the rise in complaints doesn’t necessarily mean discrimination is getting worse. It might mean that Dalit students are finally speaking up. Analysts argue that for generations, these students suffered in silence because they were afraid, ashamed, or didn’t know where to complain. Today, more students understand their rights and are brave enough to report what happens to them.
Social media and student activism have helped. When students see others speaking out, they feel less alone. They realize that what happened to them wasn’t their fault and deserves to be reported.
2. Actual Increase in Discrimination
Analysts may have a point but i believe discrimination may actually be getting worse. As more Dalit students enter higher education through reservation policies, some upper-caste students and teachers resist this change. They hold onto old prejudices and treat Dalit students unfairly—marking them lower, excluding them from study groups, making hurtful comments, or even outright harassment.
The tragic death of Rohith Vemula, a Dalit PhD student who died by suicide in 2016 after facing discrimination, showed the world how bad things can get. His case is not isolated.
Why Authorities Are Failing to Protect Dalits
Despite laws and policies against caste discrimination, authorities are failing Dalit students in several ways:
(1) No Real Independence
Most universities have committees that are supposed to handle discrimination complaints. But here’s the problem: these committees are usually run by people appointed by the same university administration. How can you expect fair justice when the people investigating are loyal to the people being accused? It’s like asking someone to judge their own boss. Committees members who listen and judge complaints are from privileged background.
(2) Complaints Disappear Into Black Hole
When Dalit students file complaints, many report that nothing happens. Their complaints get lost in paperwork. Investigations drag on for months or years. Witnesses get pressured to stay quiet. Eventually, the student either gives up or graduates, and the complaint dies.
The government claims that large percentage of complaints get resolved, but many students and experts say this number is misleading. Often, complaints are “resolved” by pressuring the victim to withdraw or by calling the matter “settled” without any real action.
(3). Fear of Speaking Up
Many students don’t file complaints because they’re afraid of what will happen next. They fear:
(I) Being failed in exams by the same teachers they complained about
(II) Losing their scholarships or hostel accommodation
(III) Being labeled as troublemakers
(IV) Facing more harassment as revenge
This fear is real and often justified based on what has happened to other students who spoke up.
(4) No Real Consequences
Even when discrimination is proven, the people responsible rarely face serious punishment. A professor might get a warning letter. An administrator might be “spoken to” privately. But they keep their jobs, their power, and their ability to harm more students.
When there are no real consequences, discrimination continues. Why would someone stop discriminating if they know they’ll get away with it?
(5) The System Protects Itself
Universities care about their reputation. Admitting that caste discrimination happens on their campus makes them look bad. So instead of fixing the problem, many institutions try to hide it. They discourage complaints, settle matters quietly, or deny that caste discrimination exists at all.
Senior administrators often come from privileged backgrounds themselves. They may not understand—or may not want to understand—what Dalit students face. Some genuinely don’t believe caste discrimination is a serious problem anymore.
(6) Lack of Training and Awareness
Many teachers and administrators have never received proper training about caste discrimination. They don’t recognize it when they see it. They might think they’re being fair when they’re actually being biased. Some hold deep-seated prejudices they’ve never examined.
Without education and training, even well-meaning officials can’t protect students effectively.
What This Means
The rising number of complaints is a crisis that demands urgent attention. It tells us that India’s universities, which should be places of equality and learning, are instead becoming battlegrounds where students fight just to be treated with basic dignity.
Until authorities start taking caste discrimination seriously—with independent committees, swift action, real punishments, and genuine institutional change—Dalit students will continue to suffer. The problem isn’t a lack of policies or rules. India has plenty of those. The problem is a lack of will to actually enforce them and hold people accountable.
Real change requires courage: the courage to admit the problem exists, to investigate fairly even when it’s uncomfortable, and to punish powerful people when they discriminate. Until that happens, the complaints will keep rising, and more students will continue to face injustice in places meant to educate and empower them.
References
1.https://thewire.in/caste/caste-based-discrimination-up-by-118-in-universities-ugc-data-shows
2.https://www.nextias.com/ca/current-affairs/15-01-2026/ugc-caste-discrimination-rules
3.https://www.insightfultake.com/details/the-growing-shadow-of-caste-bias-in-indian-universities-why-the-numbers-are-rising
4.https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/ugc-can-debar-universities-for-caste-bias-under-newly-notified-regulations
5.https://www.sanskritiias.com/current-affairs/reinforcing-equity-on-campuses-ugc-new-push-against-caste-discrimination-in-higher-education
6.https://www.takeonedigitalnetwork.com/ugc-equity-rules-a-milestone-for-inclusive-education-balbir/
