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.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump says he ‘hasn’t even thought about’ continuing Iran ceasefire
Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he has not yet considered whether he would continue the ceasefire involving Iran, while also claiming the United States holds the advantage in negotiations.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was prepared to make a deal with “whoever is running the show” in Iran.
“They are fighting with each other, there’s tremendous infighting. They’re probably fighting for leadership in many cases. I think they’re fighting not to be leader because we knocked out two levels of leaders,” he said.
Trump added, “When they want they can call me. We have all the cards, we’ve won everything.”
Referring to ongoing negotiations, he said, “They gave us a paper that should’ve been better. And, interestingly, immediately when I cancelled it [envoy trip to Pakistan], within 10 minutes we got a new paper that was much better.”
“We talked about they will not have a nuclear weapon, very simple … They offered a lot, but not enough,” he added.
When asked whether he would continue the ceasefire, Trump replied, “I haven’t even thought about it.”
The remarks come as uncertainty remains over the future of the temporary truce and broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
