Cleared NET 8 Times, PhD Rank 2, Yet Denied BHU Admission; Protests
Shivam Sonkar, a Dalit Student is protesting in front of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), UP, where he has been denied admission into the PhD program. Sonkar has reportedly, qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET) 8 times and has cleared the BHU PhD entrance exam with an overall second rank. Despite the qualification, the Dalit student was denied admission to the university.
Read also: Dalit Student Killed In Rajasthan Library For Refusing Holi Colors
As per the reports, the university administration has denied him admission and allegedly asked him to “go and clean shoes”.
ये शिवम सोनकर है। 8 बार NET क्वालीफाई कर चुका है। BHU में पीएचडी प्रवेश परीक्षा में सामान्य वर्ग में दूसरा स्थान प्राप्त कर चुका है। BHU में इसे प्रवेश से वंचित कर दिया गया और प्रशासन द्वारा कहा जाता है कि “जाकर जूता साफ करने का काम करो”, केवल इसलिए क्योंकि वह एक दलित समुदाय से… pic.twitter.com/dslkyTbzIB
— Hansraj Meena (@HansrajMeena) March 24, 2025
Reportedly, according to a 2017 UGC report, there were 19 cases against the university in 2015-16 against Dalits, and a 2024 incident where a Dalit professor’s PhD was revoked over plagiarism allegations sparked concerns over systemic biases at BHU.
There are alleged reports that despite qualifying NET, JRF, and PhD entrances, some Dalit students face alleged bias in admissions and viva selections. Organizations such as BAPSA and ASA play an active role in mobilizing Dalit Students in BHU. Also, the administration has faced criticism over handling caste-related grievances.
Read also: JMI Violates Muslim Reservation In PhD Admission 2024-25: Student Body
Students in India have faced caste discrimination inside educational institutions also. The Rohith Vemula case is a significant event in India’s student and anti-caste movements. Rohith Vemula, a Dalit PhD scholar at Hyderabad Central University (HCU), died by suicide on January 17, 2016, after facing alleged caste discrimination and institutional oppression.
