Tamil Nadu Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu on Thursday denied the allegation that a student Bharathidasan, who is pursuing a PhD in Malaysia, had been denied the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship.

Responding to DMK member and former Higher Education Minister Kovi. Chezhian, who raised the issue, Mr. Vanni Arasu said Mr. Bharathidasan was pursuing research at the National University of Malaysia on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, and that the sponsorship letter had been issued on January 9, 2025.

The Minister said Bharathidasan would receive ₹8 lakh a year for his studies. He had claimed ₹31 lakh for his living and other expenses for 2025-26, and the amount had been released.

“After releasing the amount, he was asked to submit the documents for the expenses. But even after 10 months, he has not submitted the documents and is demanding the scholarship for the second year. Still, the government released ₹12 lakh, which includes living expenses and the university fee,” Mr. Vanni Arasu said.

Explaining that the student had received ₹48.22 lakh so far despite not submitting adequate documents, the Minister said wrong information was being spread with ulterior political motives. “The government has increased the scholarship to 362 students this year. There is no delay in releasing funds,” he said.

Former DMK MLA I. Paranthaman, however, accused the Minister of suppressing the failure of the TVK government to release scholarships to students. “The Minister gives dates on which the funds were released. But they were released during the DMK regime,” he said.

Responding to the allegation that the student had failed to submit the documents, Mr. Paranthaman said he had submitted all the documents in April and sent reminders by email. “As no action was taken on his request, he released a video on social media expressing his anguish and produced the documents,” he said.

Mr. Paranthaman said it was a matter of regret that the dream of a student was being shattered by the Social Justice Ministry headed by the Minister belonging to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

Published - August 20, 2026 07:42 pm IST