(Representative image)I joined the MG University in 2011 to pursue my M.Phil. Except for three Dalit students in my batch including me, the rest of the students were allotted facilities for project work by our lecturers. I scored eight out of 10 marks for the presentation, but my thesis was rejected. It took me four more months to complete it. None of the students from our batch has received M.Phil certificates so far. The authorities have cited technical reasons for this.
Now, I am pursuing my Ph.D in Nanoscience and Biotechnology. Here, the harassment began by denying me material to conduct experiments. The material was provided to 39 members of my batch except me. The reason cited was lack of funds, but clearly this happened because I gained admission via the reservation quota.
I was insulted in front of everyone when I presented my research paper. With the exception of me, everyone else in the batch was allotted seats. When I managed to use a vacant space outside the laboratory, they placed flowerpots there. When I complained, I was told that there was no seat for people like me. Then, I continued my work from the library.
Finally, with the permission of the lab-in-charge, I managed to use the lab one Saturday.
After sometime, the joint director came to the lab and asked me to leave the place. He even complained to the director that I had entered the lab without permission.
Even without seeking an explanation, the director barred me from entering the lab. When I went to wash my hands, they locked the door of the department leaving me alone inside. My bag and laptop were in the laboratory and there was no one near to help me out. I waited for sometime and then dialled the women's helpline number. Cops from Gandhinagar police station had to come to help me get out. The lecturers told the police that I was not allowed to use the lab alone as they feared for my safety.
The director called for a meeting the next day and I listed the harassment I was subjected to. I also sought assurance that I will not encounter further discrimination from the joint director.
From then on, the harassment was indirect. Senior students then started admonishing me if I sat anywhere else other than the library. When I told them I don't have a seat, they asked me to quit and leave the campus.
Since I was not provided lab material, I was unable to submit the work report from October to February. I was summoned to meet the joint director, but fearing that I would be insulted in front of everyone, I didn't go.
From the next day, I was barred from entering the lab again.
I complained to Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Sheena Shukoor. But they told the PVC that if some leniency was shown to a Dalit student, it would affect the discipline of the department.
I complained to Women's Commission, Human Rights Commission, Women's Cell and to Minister K.P. Anil Kumar as well. The Dalit organisations and its workers promised support. Students protested in the campus.
One morning, a friend of mine told me that posters had appeared on behalf of an organisation christened 'Porattam' in the campus. The posters “threatened to kill the joint director who had prevented the Dalit student from studying”.
I was hearing about the organisation for the first time. The police came and removed the posters. Intelligence Bureau sleuths descended to investigate the issue. Soon, a campaign was unleashed labelling me a Maoist.
The police made inquires about me at my native place. The IB also made inquires at Mayyil, my husband's town, and at Kelakathu, from where I hail. I am told they gathered details of even phone calls I made in the last 10 years. I survived the ordeal only due to the support I received from my husband M. Mani and my family.
(The author, a resident of Mayyil in Kannur, is an M.Phil student of MG University)
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