Panel for SCs seeks report from VC on 'discrimination'

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has sought the report on the action taken from Kurukshetra University (KU) Vice Chancellor, regarding an alleged caste-based discrimination with a former student of the university, who expressed displeasure over the prize money being split in a competition.

In the notice on August 22 to the VC, the commission stated that a complaint was received from Anil Kumar and it was decided to investigate the matter. The VC has been requested to submit facts on the action taken in the matter in 15 days.

Kumar stated that he had participated in ‘The Gita Insights Challenge’ organised by the KU in collaboration with the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) in November. A sum of Rs 1 lakh was to be given as the first prize, Rs 51,000 (second prize) and Rs 21,000 (third prize). Five consolation prizes of Rs 11,000 each were also announced. The students had prepared videos related to the influence of the Gita. However, when the results were announced, the prize money was divided and three winners were announced for the first prize. Similarly, joint winners were declared for others positions as well.

Unhappy with the results, Kumar had raised the matter in the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee meeting, in which, while chairing the meeting, Minister of State Rajesh Nagar had directed KDB officials and the KU to release the full prize money. However, Kumar received just over Rs 33,330, following which the minister announced to give the balance amount of Rs 67,000 from his discretionary grant, which was sanctioned recently.

Kumar claimed that despite having maximum views on his content, the prize money was divided as he belonged to the Scheduled Caste, while the other winners belonged to the upper caste. “I have been informed that the prize money has been sanctioned, however, I am yet to receive it,” he said.

A university official said the purpose of the event was to spread awareness about the Gita among the youth. For this purpose, prizes were bracketed among the winners. He claimed that earlier, Kumar had made no reference to caste discrimination in his complaint to the committee. The present complaint had been made after nine months, he stated.

Meanwhile, Director Public Relations, KU, Maha Singh Poonia said, “The competition has been conducted in an impartial manner with no discrimination with any participant on the basis of caste, creed, religion or gender by the judges or any official. No other participant has made any allegations of caste discrimination. The reply to the commission will be given in due course of time.”