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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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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