Dalit Scholar Anagha Sasi Ends Indefinite Strike After Malayalam University Agrees To Key Demands

Dalit research scholar Anagha Sasi has ended her indefinite protest at Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University after the university agreed to address several of her key demands, including convening her doctoral committee meeting, which had remained pending for nearly two years.

Anagha, a research scholar at the School of Environmental Science, had launched an indefinite strike demanding action on her complaints alleging caste discrimination, academic harassment and mental harassment.

As part of the agreement, the university assured her of the academic facilities and support required to continue her doctoral research.

The protest committee had also demanded laboratory and library facilities and necessary academic guidance without obstruction.

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The university has also agreed to take action under the Anti-Ragging Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on complaints filed by Anagha against a senior student.

Meanwhile, police have assured Anagha that legal action would be taken against faculty member Dr Arun Babu, whom she has accused of caste-based abuse and harassment. Arun has obtained anticipatory bail from the Kerala High Court, and police said further action would follow the outcome of the bail proceedings.

Anagha had earlier alleged that she was subjected to caste-based insults and assigned duties unrelated to her research after joining the university in 2024.

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She had also alleged that her doctoral committee was not convened for two years and that attempts were made to portray her as mentally unstable after she raised complaints.

Several student and Dalit organisations, including AISA, Ambedkarite Democratic Front, KSU, MSF, SIO, Kerala Dalit Federation and Fraternity Movement, had extended support to her protest.

The university had earlier said that its SC/ST Cell conducted an inquiry into the caste discrimination complaint and found no evidence to substantiate the allegations. Anagha disputed the findings, alleging that the inquiry report was not shown to her.