
Prem Birhade and Pune’s Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce principal Dr Nivedita Gajanan Ekbote
Over the controversy on the allegations of caste-based discrimination by Pune’s Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce following the refusal to issue an employment reference letter to a recent graduate, Prem Birhade, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) president Prakash Ambedkar questioned the claims made by principal Dr Nivedita Gajanan Ekbote. The denial reportedly cost Birhade, a Dalit student who completed his degree from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, a job opportunity at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Prakash Ambedkar publicly condemned the college and its principal, Dr Nivedita Gajanan Ekbote, accusing them of discriminatory practices rooted in caste prejudice. Ambedkar highlighted that Birhade had previously received three Letters of Recommendation and a Bonafide Certificate from the same institution – documents he used to secure admission in the UK. “If Prem Birhade’s conduct was truly ‘unsatisfactory’ during his time at Modern College, then how do they explain that he was issued multiple Letters of Recommendation previously? Why was he deemed fit then, and now suddenly his character is questioned?” Ambedkar questioned in a statement, attributing the refusal to discomfort with a Dalit student attempting to rise beyond socially imposed limits.
“So what changed? Why was he fit for recommendation then, but now after securing a place abroad the college suddenly finds his character problematic? Let’s be honest. This isn’t about discipline. This is about discomfort. Discomfort with a Dalit student daring to rise beyond the limits society quietly sets for him! What the college has done isn’t just unethical, it’s a targeted and discriminatory act! It’s academic sabotage rooted in caste prejudice! Instead of celebrating his success, they chose to block his path. We need to call this what it is: caste-based discrimination. And it’s not just wrong, it’s criminal!,” Ambedkar said.
Ambedkar’s another statement accused Dr Ekbote of allowing her political affiliations—she is Maharashtra Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP—to influence her actions, alleging an ideological bias against Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students. According to him, this incident is a glaring example of ongoing systemic caste discrimination in Indian educational institutions that stifles the aspirations of Dalit youth even after they overcome significant social and economic challenges.
Birhade’s struggle began in Nandurbar, a poor tribal district in Maharashtra, and his journey to obtaining a degree from a prestigious UK university represented a hard-won triumph. The refusal by Modern College to verify his academic credentials for employment purposes forced him to forfeit the job opportunity at Heathrow Airport, despite previously verifying his credentials for admission purposes. Ambedkar called for urgent attention, accountability, and legal action, describing the college’s move as academic sabotage and a targeted attack based on caste.
Responding to the allegations earlier, Dr Ekbote released a detailed counter statement, denying any caste-based discrimination. She clarified that Birhade had completed his education before her tenure as principal and that she had never personally taught or interacted with him. She acknowledged that the college had issued him three Letters of Recommendation and a Bonafide Certificate previously.
However, Dr Ekbote cited “unsatisfactory conduct and disciplinary record during his tenure as a student” as the reason the college decided not to issue any further reference or recommendation letters under institutional policy. She accused Birhade of defaming the college and its staff through “false, misleading, and defamatory” social media posts and videos aimed at maligning the reputation of the institution and inciting unrest among students.
Dr Ekbote emphasised her respect for Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideals of equality, education and social justice, stating that the college adheres to the highest standards of inclusivity and respect for all communities, including SC and ST students. She requested legal intervention to address what she termed cyber harassment and defamation against female staff and the college’s administration.