In Findings of IIT Delhi Survey, a Glimpse of Hostility That Bahujan Students Face

Sukanya Shantha

In the past months, two students – Anil Kumar and Ayush Ashna – of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi died by suicide. Both students, barely 20 years old, belonged to the Dalit community. Following these two deaths in the institution, the Board for Student Publications (BSP), the institute’s official media body, initiated a campus-based survey on caste discrimination. It had to be withdrawn within a week as many students found it “insensitive” and “irrelevant”.

But more than three years ago, a similar survey was conducted by the media body and the results are telling. The survey – based on 545 responses from undergraduate students – shows that two out of every three students from the ‘general category’ felt that “students who belong to the reserved classes get undue advantages in IITD”. The ‘general category’ consists mostly of students from savarna caste groups and some from religious minorities.

Students from both savarna and Bahujan – those belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) – groups were surveyed. The Board for Student Publications claims that permission was not given for the survey to be published on the institute’s website and hence the findings remained under wraps for more than three years.

One of the disturbing findings of the survey shows that one in two “general category” respondents admitted to making casteist comments intentionally or unintentionally. Of them, nearly 15% admitted to having intentionally passed casteist comments.

For many Bahujan students, the road to IITs was the first space where they encountered casteism. Over 23% of students, the survey said, faced casteism while preparing for JEE, the entrance exam for IITs. Over 14% of the participants shared that they encountered casteism after coming to IIT.

In recent years, several cases of acute casteism and the deaths of students from the Bahujan communities due to institutional problems have come to the fore at different IITs. While the institution has refused to take responsibility, such surveys give a sense of the hostility and difficult environment that students have to navigate through.

After 18-year-old IIT Bombay student Darshan Solanki died by suicide in February this year, the university set up a 12-member committee to look into the cause of his death. The committee later came out with a controversial report, individualising his death, blaming his “poor scores” and completely disregarding the rampant casteism prevalent on campus.

The Wire first revealed that different IIT Bombay bodies, including the SC-ST student cell, had conducted multiple surveys towards the end of 2021. These brought out the insensitive, hostile and discriminatory atmosphere on campus.

The IIT Delhi survey was conducted in early 2020, according to students who participated in the survey.

Both campuses, like most other premier institutions in India, have failed to take corrective measures to change the environment on campus. Instead, as seen recently, IIT Bombay and IIT Hyderabad have set up segregated “vegetarian spaces” in the mess. A student who protested against the “veg-only tables” decision was fined Rs 10,000.

The survey conducted by the Board for Student Publications shows that 50% of students from SC/ST communities felt that students intentionally pass casteist comments. In the survey, when savarna students were asked questions about casteism, some claimed they faced “casteist comments”. This, the study says, shows the “definition mismatch” among students belonging to different caste groups. This mismatch, research scholars who were a part of the survey, say comes from how students from different caste locations look at caste and discrimination.

“A savarna caste student will happily be a part of an anti-reservation WhatsApp group. He won’t mind making casteist comments on the group. But if he finds out about a Bahujan student becoming a part of an anti-caste social media group, he will cry hoarse,” said a PhD student at IIT Delhi.

The research scholar pointed out some limitations of the survey. “The survey fails to recognise instances of ‘positive discrimination’. It groups terms used for marginalised groups and privileged groups as ‘casteism’,” he said. He further added that assertions by those from marginalised identities too have been categorised as casteist behavior – without understanding the context in which those statements were made or understood.

It is not just the students but also professors and administrative staff who indulge in casteism, the survey claims – 11% of students who participated in the survey claimed to know of “IITD Professors/administrative staff who have made casteist comments”.

While many face caste-based discrimination, only a handful are able to speak up, the survey indicates. Three out of four students from the SC, ST and OBC categories are negatively affected by casteist comments, the survey finds. While 59% of the savarna students choose to remain neutral to the casteist atmosphere, 41% expressed that they are “negatively impacted” too. Of the students who participated in the survey, only 20% said they were able to oppose casteism when they encountered it.

A large chunk of the savarna students expressed their displeasure against facilities made available to those from the Bahujan caste categories. Over 60% said they felt “it is unfair” that people have to pay different fees based on their (caste) categories. Close to 60% found facilities like the book bank made available to students belonging to reserved categories as “unfair”.

While a similar questionnaire was sent out to students from across caste groups, the last question was visible only to those who filled OBC, SC or ST as their category. From these communities, 215 students responded. Of them, 52% belonged to OBC communities and 48% belonged to SC and ST communities, the survey notes.

Among those who responded to the last question, “68% of the reserved category respondents from metro cities felt that their achievements were undervalued as compared to 24% from a small village.” A similar trend, the survey points out, can be observed for the “I am negatively affected when I hear a casteist comment” option and “I was hesitant in disclosing my rank/caste in front of other people in my first year”.

The survey says 88% of the SC population and 74% of the ST population were hesitant to talk about their rank or caste, while the same is true for 46% of the OBC population. From the results, it can be inferred, the survey report says, “that a significant number of students from the reserved categories feel undervalued and are negatively affected when someone makes a casteist comment”.

(Courtesy: The Wire.)

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Violence and Assault Targeting Dalits Increasing Across India

Sabrang India

Violence against Dalits continues unrestricted across the nation. In the face of such atrocities, marginalised communities are left grappling with fear and uncertainty, highlighting the urgent need for societal change.

Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have once again, witnessed distressing instances of caste-based violence, shedding light on the pervasive discrimination that continues to grip society. The two separate incidents of attacks on Dalit students took place this month and have brought the spotlight on caste-based violence in Tamil Nadu, India. In September, two more incidents have come to light, this time from Uttar Pradesh.

Karur, Tamil Nadu

A young boy and his grandmother were attacked last week in Karur. According to the police, the 14-year-old Dalit boy is alleged to have engaged in a verbal altercation with an intermediate caste boy, resulting in a brawl aboard a government school bus. The altercation took a more sinister turn the following day, as the 20 boys appeared at the Dalit boy’s residence, assaulting him and his grandmother, identified as Kaliyammal, according to the Indian Express.

These people have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 294 B (related to obscene acts) and 323 (pertaining to voluntarily causing hurt). Additionally, they face charges under the Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, reflecting the gravity of their actions.

The Dalit boy, in a police complaint, accused the group of several boys of attacking him and his grandmother. Two individuals, Ilango and Manikantan, along with two minors, were taken into police custody. Meanwhile, the Dalit boy and his grandmother, who has been his sole caretaker following the loss of both his parents, were swiftly transferred to the Karur Government Hospital for medical attention. However, the police has alleged that no attack took place.

This unsettling occurrence marks the second instance of Dalit students reportedly being targeted by students from the intermediate caste. Earlier, in Nanguneri, Tirunelveli district, another group of intermediate caste boys assaulted a Dalit boy, leaving his younger sister injured as well.

Valliyoor, Tamil Nadu

In a separate case from the state, the Tamil Nadu Police apprehended six minor boys on Friday for their alleged involvement in an attack on a 17-year-old Dalit student. The victim, who had complained of harassment by three of the boys to the school management, was reportedly attacked with sickles. The victim’s sister also suffered injuries in the assault, according to India Today.

The victim and his sister were immediately rushed to a hospital, where they are reportedly out of danger. In response to the incident, the victim’s family staged a protest outside the hospital, urging law enforcement to take swift action against the attackers.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin condemned the attack, saying “The incident in Nanguneri is shocking. This shows how deeply caste poison has permeated even amongst the young students.” The Chief Minister also offered reassurance to the victims’ mother, promising comprehensive support to ensure the continuation of their education.

All six accused individuals belong to the Maravar community, and two of them were classmates of the victim at a school in Valliyoor. The victim had endured casteist slurs, extortion, and demeaning tasks assigned by the accused boys, compelling him to skip from school for several days. Despite assurances from his class teacher and the headmistress that the issue would be addressed, the situation escalated dramatically.

The assailants, armed with sickles, forcibly entered the victim’s residence, leading to a violent altercation during which the victim’s sister attempted to shield him. The police promptly detained the suspects and their associates. The accused minors have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Juvenile Justice Act, and the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

A fact-finding study conducted on-site by Evidence, a Dalit rights organisation, concluded that the assailants had allegedly harboured intentions to cause harm. The organisation’s report stated that the attackers were armed with a sickle, with three of them reportedly using it in the assault.

Tragically, this incident is not isolated. The Deccan Herald reports that according to Kathir, the leader of the NGO ‘Evidence,’ between November 2022 and January 2023, nearly 450 cases were registered under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and thus highlight the distressing prevalence of such violence.

These disturbing incidents have highlighted the urgent need for addressing caste-based violence and discrimination in Tamil Nadu. The events have also prompted conversations about the safety and security of Dalit students within the state’s educational institutions. As investigations continue, the spotlight remains on the imperative to ensure a just and inclusive society that safeguards the rights and dignity of all its citizens.

Satara, Maharashtra

Adding to this grim narrative is the recent incident in Satara, Maharashtra, where a Dalit woman faced public humiliation and assault. Her only “crime” was daring to demand the return of money she was reportedly owed.

The woman was from Maan Taluka in Satara and had lent money to a group of individuals, but upon requesting repayment, she was subjected to a brutal attack by four assailants in Panavan village, Maan Taluka. The disturbing incident was caught on video. The attackers used sharp weapons in the assault and abused her as they beat her brutally in public view. Subsequently, the police responded by lodging a complaint, resulting in the arrest of two suspects. However, two more culprits remain at large, prompting an ongoing search by the police. The victim sustained severe injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. The case has been registered under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, with IPC 354 also included in the charges, according to Sameer Shaikh, Superintendent of Police, Satara.

These incidents of violence are stark reminders of the deeply rooted caste-based discrimination that continues to plague society across the length and breadth of the nation. While legal actions are a step toward justice, they also underline the pressing need for systemic changes, education, and awareness campaigns to dismantle the entrenched biases that perpetuate such violence.

Parbatsar, Rajasthan

Two Dalit youths tragically lost their lives, and another was injured in a devastating incident that occurred in Ranasar village of the Didwana-Kuchaman district. The incident transpired on Monday night when a high-speed Bolero jeep collided with their motorcycle. The victims, identified as Rajuram and Chunni Lal from Bidiyad village in Parbatsar, in Rajasthan’s Nagaur, were on their way back home after attending a religious fair. Reportedly, according to Free Press Journal, during a halt at a hotel along the way, an altercation erupted between them and a group of men. The situation escalated, resulting in the group chasing the victims and deliberately ramming their Bolero jeep into the youths’ motorcycle, leading to the untimely demise of Rajuram and Chunni Lal. Another individual, Kishnaram, also sustained injuries during the incident. The police have launched an investigation to apprehend the culprits, and the family members of the deceased are urging for a CBI inquiry to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into this distressing incident. According to Times Now, the vehicle repeatedly crushed the legs of the victims to the point where legs were discovered separate from the body.

Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh

An 18-year-old Dalit youth was killed in Sultanpur allegedly for a simple demand of Rs 1200 of unpaid wages for a full four days of labour at a farm in Baramadpur village. The victim’s elder brother spoke to The Quint, stating, “This is the price one pays for being a Dalit in this country. What was his fault? They killed him for just Rs 1200. That’s how cheap our lives are.”

On August 25, around 3 pm, the victim went on his cycle to collect the owed wages at the house of one Anuj Yadav. However, by 7 pm that same evening, Girijesh Yadav arrived at the victim’s home informing them that the young man had met with an “accident” and had been hospitalised in Ambedkarnagar’s civil hospital. Upon reaching the hospital at 8 pm, the family was informed their loved had already passed away.

The FIR, registered on August 26, raised suspicions as it became evident that the injuries on the victim’s body were not from an accident. The complaint pointed out that the youth had been attacked with a sharp object, according to the report by The Quint.

An FIR was lodged under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. While one of the accused, Digvijaya Singh, surrendered and is in police custody, authorities have been actively searching for another person who is unidentified thus far.

In the wake of this horrifying incident, about 300 Dalits in the region have staged a protest, demanding stringent action against the accused. The victim’s brother has spoken about the need for stronger more stringent measures, stating, “The sections mentioned in the FIR are too weak, and these incidents have become commonplace. The administration needs to take strict action against the accused.”

Inspector Sanjay Kumar Verma, the Station Officer at Akhandnagar police station, conveyed to The Quint that, while Digvijaya remains in police custody, the search for the unidentified individual named in the FIR is still an ongoing priority. The police has stated, “The case is actively under investigation. Digvijaya Singh, one of the accused, surrendered to the authorities and is currently in police custody. Our efforts are focused on identifying the person who assisted in transporting the victim to the hospital.”

The victim’s brother has further voiced concerns, by asserting, “They think its okay to hit a Dalit. But even though casteism is rampant in our village, a case like this is still shocking because this has never happened before.”

Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

In a separate harrowing incident from Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district, a Dalit woman endured a traumatic ordeal at the hands of two Muslim men. The survivor was deceived into visiting a hotel by her Muslim friend, where she was subjected to rape, filmed, and forcibly fed beef by her assailants, according to India Today.

The accused individuals, identified as Shoaib, a B Pharma student, and Nazim, a barber by profession, also recorded the heinous act and proceeded to blackmail the survivor, demanding a staggering Rs 5 lakh. Subsequently, they dispatched the video to the survivor’s fiancé and attempted to flee to Kashmir, where Nazim operated a shop.

Fearing the repercussions of the blackmail, the survivor reported the incident to the police. The survivor had borrowed money from her Muslim friend, aiming to repay it. However, on September 2, she was lured to a cafe by the accused woman, where the two male culprits awaited. She was then tricked into going to a hotel where she was brutally gang-raped.

In response to the victim’s complaint, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the SC/ST Act. All three accused individuals have since been apprehended.

NCRB Data Reveals Rising Cases of Crimes Against Dalits

In the case of Dalit women, data from the National Crime Records Bureau reveals that a staggering 45% rise in reported cases of rape involving Dalit women between 2015 and 2020 occurred. Shockingly, this data also highlights that on average 10 incidents of rape against Dalit women and girls were reported daily in India during this period.

Furthermore, findings from the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015-2016 demonstrate disturbing trends in sexual violence rates. Scheduled Tribes (Adivasi or Indigenous Indians) experienced the highest rate at 7.8 %, followed by Scheduled Castes (Dalits) at 7.3 %.

What remains alarming is that in March 2023, the Indian government informed Parliament that a staggering number of over 1.9 lakh cases of crimes against Dalits were recorded during the four-year period from 2018. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, Uttar Pradesh has alone reported 49,613 cases of total atrocities and attacks on Dalits (11,924 in 2018, 11,829 in 2019, 12,714 in 2020, and 13,146 in 2021). Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ajay Kumar Mishra, shared this information in response to a question posed by BSP MP Girish Chandra, who inquired about mechanisms for monitoring such incidents.

In total, India registered 1,89,945 cases of crimes against the Dalit community during the four-year span (42,793 in 2018, 45,961 in 2019, 50,291 in 2020, and 50,900 in 2021). Out of all these cases, chargesheets were filed in 1,50,454 of these cases which resulted in about only 27,754 convictions. These are records of only reported crimes having taken place, there is no way to account for cases that never reached law enforcement officers.

(Note: This article is a compilation of two articles, both published in SabrangIndia: “Continued Surge of Violence against Dalits Spans Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu”, and “Violence and Assault Targeting Dalits Rock Uttar Pradesh”. Courtesy: Sabrang India, an online portal dedicated to fighting the cancer of divisive politics. It is edited by Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand.)