Hyderabad, Nov 01: Caste discrimination in colleges across the state, specifically in professional colleges, is on the rise.
This is more so in the case of students availing of the fee reimbursement scheme.
With the delay in government releasing the funds for colleges, the managements are forcing students to pay the amount. Students from SC, ST and BC categories, who are not in a position to pay, are facing discrimination. Some managements are allegedly even making casteist remarks and insulting students who fail to pay fees.
The government had directed all the colleges to maintain separate complaint registers to enable students to lodge such complaints.
It had also warned the colleges of severe action if they resort to such practices. However, the government has failed to initiate any steps to check the errant managements. As a result, the associations have approached the University Grants Commission.
The government was forced to act recently after the UGC intervened in the issue.
UGC joint secretary Dr K.C. Pathak has issued a circular to all the universities to curb caste discrimination in university colleges and affiliated colleges.
In a circular, Dr Pathak stated that,
