Kerala University research scholar Vipin Vijayan alleges caste-based discrimination after the Sanskrit department dean denied his PhD degree. Vijayan, a Dalit scholar, stated the incident “shattered his dream” and called for the dean’s removal from her position.
Vijayan posted details on Facebook. He accused his guide, C.N. Vijayakumari, of manipulating his image. Vijayakumari, affiliated with RSS-BJP, allegedly spread false information that Vijayan, an SFI leader, “does not know Sanskrit.”
Allegations of Discrimination
Vijayan explicitly cited caste bias as the reason for the denial. He drew parallels to Rohith Vemula, a PhD student who died by suicide in 2016 amid similar allegations. Vijayan clarified he completed an MPhil in Sanskrit from Kerala University. He noted his MPhil qualification allowed his PhD admission; only specific entrance tests or degrees make students eligible.
He questioned Vijayakumari’s teaching capabilities. She guided his MPhil dissertation. Despite awarding him the MPhil, she later informed the university he could not read or write Sanskrit. Vijayan asked if the viva board and his guide had deceived the university if his MPhil was fraudulent. He further stated he holds BA and MA degrees in Sanskrit from Sree Sankaracharya University, along with BEd and MEd degrees from Kerala University.
Political Motivations Claimed
Vijayan highlighted Dean Vijayakumari’s “Sangh Parivar” ideology. He alleged his own “political leaning” contributed to the degree refusal. Vijayan confirmed his past association with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). He served as a faculty representative during his MA, MEd, and MPhil studies. He stated his ideology is leftist, while Vijayakumari follows RSS-BJP ideology. She is an active member of a Sangh Parivar teachers’ organization at the university.
The scholar claimed he had no SFI association after enrolling in his PhD. He questioned why media focused on his political ties, yet Vijayakumari’s political side remained unaddressed. He asked why he became the accused and she the “saint.”
Dissertation Evaluation and Public Humiliation
Vijayan’s PhD thesis, titled “Sadgurusarvasam – A Study,” underwent evaluation. Independent experts, Professor Anil Pratap Giri from Allahabad University and Professor G Padmanabham from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, assessed it. Both examiners and the chairperson of his open defense recommended awarding the PhD degree.
Vijayan claims the dean made “casteist” remarks during and after his open defense. He quoted her saying, “Sanskrit will never bow to lower castes as it does to Brahmins.” He further alleged an “organised assault.” He stated she deliberately called an online group during his defense to publicly humiliate him. University rules permit theses and defenses in English or Malayalam, not just Sanskrit. He noted many theses guided by the same dean were also written in English.
Legal Action and Demands
After enduring alleged casteist slurs for years, Vijayan plans to take legal action. He called for Dean C.N. Vijayakumari’s immediate removal. He stated a person with her mindset should not hold such an honorable post. He argued her continued presence would disgrace the university and prevent future students from similar abuse of power.
Vijayan accused Vijayakumari and “wicked forces” of snatching his dream through abuse of power. He concluded that a letter from the dean rendered his academic achievements meaningless. He believes the label “one who does not know Sanskrit” will follow him. He described feeling “ostracized from the academic world.”