The Congress has alleged a serious case of caste-based discrimination and assault at the Central University of Gujarat’s Vadodara campus, claiming that a first-year undergraduate student was attacked and verbally abused with casteist slurs by senior students in late January.
The party’s complaint relates to an incident said to have occurred on the night of January 26, involving a student enrolled in the BA Social Management programme. The student, who reportedly came from Rajasthan to pursue studies at the university, is said to have been targeted inside the campus hostel premises.
The Central University of Gujarat was established in 2009 under a Central government law and originally functioned from Gandhinagar. A few years ago, it shifted operations to its new permanent campus at Dunthela near Vadodara.
Raising the issue publicly on Wednesday, Congress spokesperson Dr Parthivrajsinh Kathwadia alleged that more than 30 students gathered outside the victim’s room and assaulted him. He claimed the student, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, was also insulted using caste-based language during the attack.
Kathwadia told Vibes of India that it remains to be seen whether the incident should be treated as a case of ragging and whether provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act should be invoked.
According to the party, the student has emailed complaints to multiple university authorities, including the Provost, Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Dean, and the Anti-Ragging Helpline. The Congress alleged that despite more than a week passing since the complaint, no concrete action had been taken.
Dr Kathwadia also pointed to wider concerns, stating that in the last five years, over 1,160 complaints of caste discrimination have been reported across more than 700 universities in India.
The Congress further claimed that attempts to contact the university’s Vice Chancellor by phone were unsuccessful.
However, the university has issued a statement through its media relations department quoting Vice Chancellor Prof. Atanu Bhattacharya as saying that an inquiry committee was formed immediately after the matter was brought to notice.
The Vice Chancellor described the episode as an internal dispute between students but added that if the investigation establishes that the case falls under SC/ST-related provisions, it will be forwarded for further action in accordance with SC/ST regulations and applicable rules.
The inquiry is currently underway.
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