The protest by Dalit research scholar Anagha Sasi at Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, alleging caste discrimination, academic harassment, and denial of research facilities is drawing support from student, Dalit and other organisations.

Ms. Sasi, a research scholar in the Department of Environmental Studies, has been on an indefinite protest demanding action against teachers and others she accuses of caste-based abuse and harassment.

She has also sought registration of a case under the Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and action against those named in complaints of ragging and academic retaliation.

Organisations such as the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Ambedkarite Democratic Front (ADF), Kerala Students’ Union (KSU), Muslim Students’ Federation (MSF), Student Islamic Organisation (SIO), Kerala Dalit Federation (KDF), and Fraternity Movement have expressed solidarity with the research scholar. The Cockroach Janata Party is also likely to join the agitation.

AISA national president Neha Bora has voiced support through a social media video and is likely to visit the protest site this week. P.K. Navas, MLA, visited the site and called for an external inquiry. Welfare Party of India State president Razak Paleri also met Ms. Sasi and demanded an independent inquiry.

Dalit rights activist Sunny Kappikkad has backed the protest, saying it reflects deeper issues of caste discrimination in higher education and should not be reduced to an academic dispute.

Ms. Sasi, from Kolenchery, said she had faced caste-based abuse since joining the university in 2024. She alleged that she was assigned non-academic work such as sweeping classrooms, dusting books and files, carrying boxes, cleaning lab equipment, and arranging materials, including in MSc and MA classrooms.

She also claimed that she was denied research support and lab access, obstructed during fieldwork, and at times made to stand in corridors without seating. She further alleged that a faculty member told her that she must follow the instructions to continue her PhD, and that her fellowship was granted due to caste rather than merit.

She has named Environmental Studies faculty members Arun Babu and Jaini Varghese in her complaints. She said she submitted petitions to the Registrar, Vice-Chancellor (V-C), Research Director, and the SC/ST Cell in August 2025 and also approached the Higher Education Minister and the Chief Minister, but received no effective action.

She disputed the university’s claim that she failed to revise her research synopsis. Mr. Kappikkad said she had submitted multiple revisions, but her guide allegedly failed to provide guidance or approve the work for over two years.

Ms. Sasi also alleged that internal inquiry committees submitted adverse reports against her. She demanded that the accused teachers be kept out of duty pending an independent investigation.

Mr. Kappikkad said the university should have alerted the police upon receiving a caste discrimination complaint involving an SC student and also called for action under anti-ragging laws against a senior research scholar named in her complaint.

He held the Registrar and the V-C responsible for delays in addressing her grievances.

Ms. Sasi said she would continue her protest until action was taken. The widening support for her has intensified scrutiny of the university’s handling of the case.

University officials have denied the allegations.

Published - August 19, 2026 09:05 pm IST