Ph.D. scholars of Periyar University accuse Tamil department professor of caste discrimination
Prof. T. Periasamy, who served as head of the Tamil department for the past 12 years, was moved from the post last month. He is also facing an inquiry by a committee formed by the State government in 2023 on charges of submitting a fake experience certificate to obtain employment.
The scholars' complaints against Prof. Periasamy were submitted to the Vice-Chancellor Committee, the administrative body that oversees the university's operations.
What are the allegations?
The scholars alleged Prof. Periasamy discriminated against them by not allowing them to complete their Ph.D. for several years.
One of the complainants, a Ph.D. scholar, belonging to the Scheduled Caste, told The Hindu that at Periyar University, the head of the department (HOD) serves as an ex-officio member of the doctoral committee. 'So even if we have different guides, the HOD decides our fate,' he said. He accused Prof. Periasamy of giving him 'a lot of trouble' and failing to recommend him for the prestigious University Research Fellowship (URF), while recommending other scholars, who he claimed belonged to the professor's caste.
'If we take a paper to him to sign, he would refuse and verbally abuse us,' he claimed.
'Made us do personal chores'
Another scholar from the Most Backward Community (MBC) claimed Prof. Periasamy 'made us go to the grocery shop and the bank, and forced us to pick up and drop off his children at their educational institutions. He also made us pour water over his house during its construction.'
He further claimed: 'From 2013 to 2022, due to discrimination and verbal abuse, 19 Ph.D. scholars discontinued their research. If a guide does not have a good relationship with Prof. Periasamy, he will not send their students' theses for evaluation, thereby making us run from pillar to post.'
The scholar said Prof. Periasamy was removed from the HOD post 'after many of us started to lodge complaints.'
'Different rules for scholars of his caste'
Another scholar, in her complaint, alleged Prof. Periasamy applied different rules for scholars of other castes and those from his own, and that he gave scholars from his caste opportunities to work at Periyar University as guest lecturers.
'Earlier, when we lodged a complaint with the former Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, the complaint was redirected to him. He then threatened us with dire consequences. Two weeks ago, we lodged a complaint with the administrative committee, but it has yet to take any action,' she alleged.
She urged the State government to look into the matter and take action against Prof. Periasamy.
Sources said besides the Ph.D. scholars, over six teaching and non-teaching staff of the university have lodged complaints against Prof. Periasamy for verbal abuse.
Prof. denies allegations
Denying all the allegations, Prof. Periasamy told The Hindu the Tamil department is the top department in the university, with the highest number of students clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET). 'I have never shown any caste discrimination and have strictly followed the rules. These are fabricated complaints,' he added.
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