Dalit graduate says Pune college delay cost him U.K. job opportunity

Prem Birhade, a Dalit man living in London, says he lost a job opportunity in the U.K. because his former college in Pune did not verify his studies in time.

He alleges the delay was due to caste discrimination.

Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce denies this, saying caste was never raised and that it issued a bona fide certificate after the employer contacted it again.

The college says it could not provide a recommendation letter because police verification was still pending.

The dispute has led to a protest outside the college by the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, a political group led by Prakash Ambedkar.

The group’s leaders say Birhade’s family intends to file a criminal complaint over the lost opportunity.

The college says it has complained against Birhade for allegedly abusing women teachers.