College HOD suspended on allegations of caste discrimination

CHENNAI: The head of Tamil department P Anuradha of Pachaiyappa's College who was accused of caste discrimination has been suspended for two months, on Thursday.

The committee set up by the college held thorough inquiry with students and the HOD and also ascertained the two audio clips that went viral on social media last week.

Anuradha, the staff, in the audio released on July 15 can be heard asking for the caste of certain students in her department and also commenting that “Dalit students are causing problems and to be careful with them.”

In the suspension order accessed by DT Next, it is noted that the HOD and associate professor of Tamil department P Anuradha has defamed members of Scheduled Caste (SC) community and has involved in gross misconduct.

Further to restrain the HOD with 33 years of experience from involving in any activity connected to the impending investigation, suspension has been passed under Tamil Nadu Private Colleges Regulation Act and Rules, 1976.

A student who did not wish to be named said, "All students from Dalit community and from economically weaker backgrounds are HOD's target. In my first year, the HOD had a healthy interaction with me. But, once she learned I belonged to Dalit community, she asked me not to enter the staff room."