Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Kerala University Professor Booked for Alleged Casteist Remarks
A professor at Kerala University is facing legal trouble after a student accused her of making mean comments about his caste.
The student also said the professor refused to sign his final research paper for his PhD.
He claims the professor said that people from lower castes aren't smart enough to study Sanskrit.
The professor denies saying these things.
She also says she didn't sign his paper because his work had mistakes and plagiarism, and that she was just following the rules for academic work.
The police are investigating the claims.
A Kerala University professor has been booked for alleged casteist remarks against a research scholar.
The scholar claims the professor made derogatory comments about his caste, including that lower-caste individuals cannot learn Sanskrit.
The professor allegedly refused to sign the scholar's thesis report after his PhD open defence.
A case has been registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The professor denies the casteist remarks and states the refusal to sign was for academic reasons, citing errors and plagiarism in the scholar's work.
- Who
- Dr C.N. Vijayakumari, Head of the Sanskrit Department at Kerala University, and Vipin Vijayan, a research scholar.
- What
- A case has been registered against a Kerala University professor for allegedly making casteist remarks against a research scholar and refusing to sign his thesis.
- When
- The FIR was registered on November 8, following alleged incidents that occurred after the scholar's PhD open defence on October 15, with further allegations dating back to 2015.
- Where
- Kerala University's Kariavattom campus.
- Why
- The scholar alleges the professor made casteist remarks and refused to sign his thesis due to his caste. The professor denies the casteist remarks and claims the refusal was due to academic deficiencies in the scholar's work.
Scholar's Allegations
Professor's Defense
Casteist Remarks
Scholar's Allegations
The scholar alleges the professor made casteist remarks, including that people from lower castes cannot learn Sanskrit and that she would clean her room with water after they entered. These alleged remarks date back to 2015 and occurred in front of others.
Professor's Defense
The professor denies making any casteist remarks.
Refusal to Sign Thesis
Scholar's Allegations
The scholar claims the professor refused to sign his thesis report due to casteist reasons after his PhD open defence.
Professor's Defense
The professor states her refusal to sign the thesis was based solely on academic grounds, citing factual errors and plagiarism in the scholar's research.
- University
- Kerala University
- Professor
- Dr C.N. Vijayakumari
- Professor's Role
- Head of Sanskrit Department and Dean of Faculty of Oriental Studies
- Scholar
- Vipin Vijayan
- Incident Date (Alleged Remarks)
- Occurred after PhD open defence on October 15; alleged remarks date back to 2015.
- Case Registered
- November 8
- Law Applied
- Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
