IIM Bangalore refutes caste discrimination, reservation violation allegations, highlights inclusive policies

NEW DELHI: Amid allegations of caste discrimination, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B) has issued an official statement denying claims made during a recent protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru. The demonstration, organized by the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA), Dr. BR Ambedkar Association of Engineers (BANAE), and the OBC Federation of India, accused IIM-B of failing to implement reservation policies and harassing faculty members advocating for diversity and inclusion.

In an official statement, IIM Bangalore's highlighted its commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment, ensuring the growth and development of all stakeholders, including those from SC, ST, and OBC communities. It highlighted the establishment of a diversity and inclusion cell, a Diversity and Inclusion Grievance Redressal Committee (DIGRC) to address grievances and ensure a discrimination-free atmosphere.

Anti-discrimination policies

“The Institute has established strong anti-discrimination policies and procedures to ensure that there is no caste-based discrimination or harassment against any individual,’’ read the IIM-B statement.

Compliance with reservation policies and faculty recruitment

IIM Bangalore also underlined its compliance with the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act 2019. “IIM Bangalore is in the process of implementation of reservation for faculty positions pursuant to coming into effect of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act 2019,” states IIM-B. The institute stated that it has been implementing faculty reservations through rolling advertisements that explicitly indicate reservation policies. Since 2019, more than 10 faculty members from reserved categories have been recruited, supported by special recruitment drives launched in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Also read IIM Bangalore: Protest held over caste discrimination, violation of reservation policy at the institute

IIM Bangalore Protest: Demands of protestors

The protest at Freedom Park raised demands for full compliance with reservation policies, the formation of SC, ST, and OBC cells, and immediate action against caste discrimination and harassment on campus. Protesters also called for the resignation of IIM-B Director Rishikesha T Krishnan, accusing him of violating reservation norms and targeting faculty members raising diversity concerns.

Leaders like BS Shivanna and Gowd Kiran Kumar, national president of AIOBCSA, voiced concerns over institutional apathy and stressed the urgency of upholding constitutional mandates. The event concluded with a resolution to continue the struggle and an appeal to the president, prime minister, and education minister for intervention.

IIM-B Protest: Institute welcomes constructive feedback

IIM Bangalore reiterated that employees are free to raise concerns within the framework of institutional service rules and invited constructive feedback to enhance inclusivity. The institute reaffirmed its commitment to a discrimination-free environment, urging dialogue and adherence to established policies.

“There is no constraint on Institute employees raising any issue pertaining to the functioning of the Institute as long as they operate within the institutional Service Rules that have been formulated by faculty and approved by the Board. The Institute encourages and welcomes any constructive feedback on how it can be more inclusive,” stated IIM Bangalore.