Dalit PhD Scholar Anagha Sasi To Begin Indefinite Hunger Strike Over Alleged Caste Discrimination

Kerala: Dalit PhD scholar Anagha Sasi, who has been staging a sit-in protest at the entrance of Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University in Tirur since August 15, has announced that she will begin an indefinite hunger strike on September 5 if her demands are not addressed by the university administration.

Anagha Sasi, a research scholar in the Department of Environmental Studies, has alleged caste discrimination, academic harassment and obstruction in the pursuit of her doctoral research.

She has also alleged that she was subjected to humiliation and was asked to undertake tasks unrelated to her research, while being denied adequate access to academic facilities.

Penguin India Decides Not To Publish Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir After She Declined Proposed Changes

The faculty members named in her allegations have denied the charges, while the university administration has rejected her claims and attributed delays in her doctoral work to issues related to her research synopsis.

The decision to escalate the protest comes amid growing support from student and social organisations. On August 25, the Women Justice Movement’s district committee held a day-long hunger strike at the university gate in solidarity with her.

Other organisations, including student groups, have also visited the protest site and expressed support.

Is Sukumara Kurup Alive? Kerala’s Most Wanted Fugitive Back In News After 42 Years

Anagha Sasi and the organisations supporting her are demanding an independent inquiry into the allegations, action against the faculty members named in the complaint, and steps to facilitate the continuation of her doctoral research. They have also sought action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Meanwhile, the Higher Education Minister has assured that the matter will be examined, and a judicial inquiry has also been proposed.