Research student complains of casteist abuse by Sanskrit professor at Kariavattom campus

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A case has been registered against the head of the Sanskrit department of Kariavattom campus for casteist abuse. Vipin Vijayan, SFI leader and a research student of the campus filed a complaint with the Sreekaryam police against his teacher Vijaya Kumari. The case is under the SC and ST Act. His complaint is that she made casteist remarks and refused to sign his thesis.

Meantime, the teacher had also reacted on the incident. The teacher had assessed that Vipin, a research student, was not fluent in the subject. The head of the department said in a letter released late last month that the student did not have answers to the questions in the open defense and did not know Sanskrit. A complaint was also filed against the SFI leader who recommended a PhD in Sanskrit to the student who is not proficient in the subject. The teacher had filed a complaint with the vice chancellor.

The student's thesis, titled Sadguru Sarvaswam, Oru Padanam, is about Chattambi Swamigal. Meantime, the VC also replied that an investigation has been initiated based on the complaint. The registrar and research director have been directed to probe. Vipin Vijayan has also responded to the incident.

Vipin Vijayan said the teacher lodged the complaint due to personal enmity with him. Vipin Vijayan is the office bearer of the researchers’ union at Karyavattom campus. Meantime, district office bearers informed that Vipin Vijayan was the general secretary of the researchers’ union six years ago and is presently not associated with the SFI.