An inquiry has found evidence of caste-based discrimination at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B), prompting the Karnataka Department of Social Welfare to call for action against six senior officials, including the institute’s Director Dr Rishikesha T Krishnan.
The investigation conducted by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE), found that Dr Gopal Das, an associate professor of marketing who belongs to a Scheduled Caste (SC), faced public humiliation, exclusion, and denial of equal opportunities. The report also highlighted the institute’s failure to establish mandatory grievance redressal mechanisms for SC and Scheduled Tribe (ST) employees.
The inquiry found that Dr Rishikesha T Krishnan, publicly disclosed Dr Gopal Das’s caste in a mass email circulated within the institution. The investigation also found evidence of workplace exclusion. Dr Krishnan, along with Dr Dinesh Kumar, Dean (Faculty), were found denying Dr Das equal opportunities in professional activities.
The allegations first came to light in January 2024 when Dr Das wrote to President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to the institute, detailing incidents of exclusion from institutional activities, restricted access to resources, and caste-based humiliation. Acting on a directive from the President’s office, the DCRE initiated an inquiry in March 2024.
In May, Dr Das wrote to P Manivannan, principal secretary of the Karnataka Social Welfare Department alleging that harassment had intensified after DCRE initiated an inquiry. But IIM-B hit back and Director Dr Rishikesha T Krishnan issued a showcause notice to Dr Das, accusing him of unauthorisedly sharing information with the media.
Arun Chakravarthy, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for the DCRE, submitted the investigation report to the Social Welfare Department on November 26.
The report highlighted IIM-B’s failure to comply with statutory obligations to establish an institutional mechanism for addressing grievances of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) employees.
The complaint also named prominent cardiologist and Board of Governors chairman Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, along with faculty members Professor Sreelata Jonnalagedda, Professor Rahul De, Professor Ashish Mishra, and Professor Chetan Subramanian. Dr Devi Prasad Shetty secured a stay on the inquiry proceedings from the Karnataka High Court.
In response to the findings, the Karnataka Social Welfare Department on December 9, directed the Bengaluru Commissioner to initiate appropriate action against the remaining six officials under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015. TNM has reached out to the Police Commissioner. The article will be updated as and when we get a response.
The director and dean of IIM-B have sought an injunction from court against Dr Das preventing him from making public statements in the media.
IIM-Bangalore issued a statement saying, "IIMB is aware of the investigation initiated by the DCRE and has shared all relevant information with them. It has not been provided with the copy of any report. However, if the media reports are to be relied upon, then it is an unfortunate development, but we cannot comment on any specifics without a copy of the report."
The institute further stated, "In the specific case of Dr Gopal Das rather than harassment or discrimination, Dr Das has received all forms of support from the Institute since his recruitment in 2018, starting with his applying for the position of Assistant Professor, but being offered the role of Associate Professor based on his qualifications and experience. He has received significant incentives since he joined IIMB for his research and teaching, in addition to his salary as Associate Professor as per the 7th Central Pay Commission of the Government of India. He has been given positions of responsibility including Chairperson, Institutional Review Board; Member, Career Development Services Committee and Member, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and he has taught courses of his choice across different academic programmes of the Institute."
IIM-B also said that Dr Das’s allegations of discrimination surfaced only after his application for promotion was put on hold due to complaints of harassment filed by doctoral students. "An enquiry conducted by IIMB as per the rules, with the committee including a reputed academic from the SC category from an eminent institution, found that the students’ complaints were justified. The DIGRC found Dr Das’s complaints of harassment and discrimination to be unfounded."
The institute said it had submitted evidence to the DCRE but added, “From the news reports suggesting that the Institute has been indicted, it appears that the same has not been considered.”
This report is republished from The News Minute as part of the NL-TNM alliance. Click here to support our election coverage, and join the army that pays to keep news free.
In times of misinformation, you need news you can trust. We’ve got you covered. Subscribe to Newslaundry and power our work.
Newslaundry is a reader-supported, ad-free, independent news outlet based out of New Delhi. Support their journalism, here.
