Tamil Nadu: Civil society protests against alleged faculty fraud on private engineering colleges

A year after the Tamil Nadu government promised to investigate the allegations against submission of forged documents by private engineering colleges, Arappor Iyakkam, an NGO, has announced that it will hold a silent protest on August 2 condemning inaction.

The protest seeks to push for greater transparency and accountability from the state’s higher education department and Anna University.

The Arappor Iyakkam-backed protests, marks one year since the Tamil Nadu government started an inquiry into allegations that private engineering colleges submitted fraudulent faculty data to secure affiliation from Anna University.

The NGO had on July 23, 2024, submitted a formal complaint and held a press conference highlighting mismanagement or irregularities in Anna University’s inspection process.

Also read In DU's new anti-ragging guidelines, police patrol, 2 joint control rooms, undertakings from parents

These private engineering colleges secured affiliation with Anna University by submitting fraudulent faculty data.

Following the complaint by the NGO, the Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department formed a three-member fact-finding committee and instructed the panel to submit a report within a week.

Even after a year, no public update or action has been taken by the state government, the NGO stated.

Condemning the prolonged inaction, the Arappor Iyakkam called for a symbolic protest titled "Tearful Tribute to the Forgotten Order”. It further urged students and citizens to participate in the protest.