Wed Nov 20 16:44:28 UTC 2024: **IIMB Accused of Caste Discrimination, Denies Allegations**

Bengaluru, November 21, 2024 – The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) is facing accusations of caste discrimination from several student and OBC organizations. On Wednesday, the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA), Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Association of Engineers (BANAE), and the OBC Federation of India staged a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, demanding the institute address alleged caste-based harassment and implement reservation policies effectively.

The protesters presented four key demands: full implementation of reservation quotas, establishment of a dedicated grievance redressal cell, an end to caste discrimination with institutional acknowledgement, and a guarantee of a safe and inclusive environment. They also called for an end to the alleged harassment of faculty members who have raised concerns about diversity and inclusion.

J. Enjeerappa, president of the OBC Federation of India, went so far as to call for the resignation of IIMB Director Rishikesha T. Krishnan, accusing him of violating reservation policies. B.S. Shivanna, general secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), also spoke at the protest, emphasizing the need to uphold constitutional guarantees within premier institutions.

The protesting organizations plan to formally submit their grievances to the President of India, the Prime Minister, and the Union Education Minister. They vow to continue their protests until their demands are met.

However, IIMB vehemently denies all allegations. In a statement, the institute asserts that it is actively implementing the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act 2019 and has undertaken special recruitment efforts for reserved categories since 2021, resulting in over 10 new faculty members from SC/ST/OBC communities joining since 2019. IIMB also highlights its existing Diversity and Inclusion Cell and Grievance Redressal Committee as mechanisms to address any discrimination. The non-implementation of the 2019 Act has been a central point of contention in the dispute.

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