– He withheld approvals needed to complete their Ph.D.s for years.
– Discriminatory behavior against scheduled Caste and Most Backward Community scholars.
– Favoring fellow caste members for opportunities like guest lecturer positions and University Research Fellowships (URF).
– Forced personal errands such as grocery shopping, child pickups/drops, and manual labor at his house construction site.- Over six university staff have also filed verbal abuse complaints against him.
The allegations made by Ph.D. scholars at Periyar University highlight serious concerns regarding equity in academia and misuse of authority within educational institutions in India. If substantiated, instances of caste-based discrimination as described can erode trust in higher education systems meant to foster inclusivity and meritocracy-values directly linked to India’s constitutional ideals.
this case further underscores the need for effective regulatory mechanisms that can safeguard student welfare while addressing grievances transparently without fear of retaliation-a sentiment echoed by one complainant’s claim about being threatened after raising prior concerns with administrators.
the inquiry into Prof. Periasamy’s use of a potentially fake experience certificate highlights potential gaps in institutional checks during recruitment processes that could allow unsuitable candidates into key positions of power. This situation warrants close attention as it may influence policies about accountability frameworks across India’s universities moving forward.
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