Support widens for Dalit scholar’s protest at Malayalam varsity

Backing widens for Dalit scholar's protest at Malayalam varsity Anagha Sasi, a research scholar in the Department of Environmental Studies at Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, is on an indefinite protest seeking action against teachers and others over alleged caste-based abuse and harassment.

Key points

• She has named Environmental Studies faculty members Arun Babu and Jaini Varghese in her complaints.
• Sasi, from Kolenchery, remarked she had faced caste-based abuse since joining the university in 2024.
• The Cockroach Janata Party is additionally probable to join the agitation.
• AISA national president Neha Bora has voiced backing through a social media video and is anticipated to visit the protest site this week.
• She additionally maintained that she was denied research backing and lab access, obstructed during fieldwork, and at times produced to stand in corridors without seating.

For context, 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 backing 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 additionally 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 additionally probable to join the agitation.

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

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

Ms. Sasi, from Kolenchery, remarked 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 additionally maintained that she was denied research backing and lab access, obstructed during fieldwork, and at times produced to stand in corridors without seating. She further alleged that a faculty member informed 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 remarked she submitted petitions to the Registrar, Vice-Chancellor (V-C), Research Director, and the SC/ST Cell in August 2025 and additionally 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 remarked she had submitted multiple revisions, but her guide allegedly failed to provide guidance or approve the work for over two years.

Ms. Sasi additionally 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 remarked the university should have alerted the police upon receiving a caste discrimination complaint involving an SC student and additionally pressed 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 remarked she would continue her protest until action was taken. The widening backing for her has intensified scrutiny of the university's handling of the case. University authorities have denied the allegations.

For now, support widens for Dalit scholar's protest at Malayalam varsity remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.