Dalit graduate alleges caste bias by Pune college cost him Heathrow job offer
Pune: Prem Birhade, a Dalit student from Nandurbar who recently completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Sussex, has alleged that caste-based discrimination by Pune’s Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce forced him to forfeit a job offer at Heathrow Airport in London. The allegation was brought to public attention by Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar, who accused the college of denying mandatory credential verification due to caste prejudice.
According to Ambedkar, Prem had submitted all required documents to Modern College for verification, a standard process needed by employers abroad. However, the college allegedly refused to complete the verification after inquiring about his caste. Ambedkar claimed that the institution’s principal, Dr. Nivedita Gajanan Ekbote, who also serves as Maharashtra Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, allowed her political affiliation to influence administrative decisions.
“This verification had earlier been issued when Prem went to pursue higher education in London,” Ambedkar said. “But when he requested it again for employment, the college administration’s behaviour changed once his caste became known.” He described Prem’s experience as “a stark example of how caste discrimination continues to follow Dalit youth, even after overcoming social and economic hardships.”
In a viral video, Prem displayed his documents, stating, “I am not begging; I am demanding my rights.” In another post, he wrote, “The UK gave me a degree and a job, but a Pune college took away the opportunity,” adding that his struggle had now become “for society.”
Responding to the allegations, Dr. Ekbote said the institution declined to issue a fresh education reference due to what she described as “unsatisfactory conduct and disciplinary concerns” during Prem’s time as a student. However, her statement acknowledged that the college had earlier issued him three Letters of Recommendation and one Bonafide Certificate.
Social media users criticised Pune’s academic elite for perpetuating exclusion under the guise of meritocracy.
Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde remarked that the case illustrated “the kind of merit-based gatekeeping that strengthens the argument for diversity quotas in all fields.” Academic commentator Prof. Ravikant observed that the ordeal revealed “the structural hate and humiliation marginalised caste students endure when seeking international opportunities.”
Writer Raju Parulekar called the incident “an example of systemic Brahminism still dictating access to professional opportunities,” while advocate Priyadarshi Telang said the case shows how “caste discrimination can ripple across borders and derail lives.”
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
