Dean of the institution Nageswara Rao’s explanation does little to quell the outrage and assuage the hurt feelings
NEW DELHI – An incident of caste-based discrimination has come to light in Andhra Pradesh that threatens to snowball into a major controversy with political parties vying to exploit the situation for electoral gains.
A Dalit assistant professor at SV Veterinary University’s Dairy Technology College in Tirupati has alleged caste-based discrimination after his office chair was removed, forcing him to work on the floor. Dr Ravi, who holds a faculty position in the Dairy Technology department, claimed that Associate Dean Ravindra Reddy ordered the removal of the chair during a visit to his department. He said when he returned to his office on Friday after a day’s leave, he found his chair missing.
Viral images show Dr Ravi sitting on the floor, working on a computer with documents spread around him. The incident has sparked sharp criticism online, with many users condemning it as an example of the country’s deep-rooted caste discrimination. They called the incident “ridiculous” and “disgusting”.
“People want to abolish reservations but not casteism,” one post read.
University Dean Nageswara Rao stated that the chair was reclaimed because it belonged to the DBM (Department of Business Management) section. “Two chairs were purchased for the DBM department as needed, and since one of them was found in the Dairy Technology department, it was replaced,” Rao said. He added that steps would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Rao’s explanation has done little to quell the outrage and assuage the hurt feelings.
The ruling YSR Congress Party criticised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of remaining silent on the alleged humiliation of a Dalit professor. “Why is he just watching without taking action?” a party spokesperson asked.
The incident has renewed debate about caste inequality in educational institutions and the treatment of Dalit faculty and students in the country’s universities.
Dalits face widespread discrimination and marginalisation, often being denied access to basic rights and opportunities. They are frequently subjected to social exclusion, verbal abuse, and physical violence, with many being forced to live in segregated communities. Despite constitutional protections and laws aimed at combating caste-based discrimination, Dalits continue to experience significant barriers to education, employment, and social mobility.
Dr Ravi has not yet decided whether to file an official complaint, and the university has not announced any inquiry into the matter.
