Pune college denies caste bias claim after ex-student alleges job loss over verification delay
Pune (PTI): A college in Pune has rubbished a former Dalit student's allegations of caste bias and his claim that it had withheld his job verification, clarifying that it had sent the document to the UK-based employer and he had not lost his job.
Prem Birhade, a former BBA student of Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, had claimed in a social media post that the college failed to send the reference verification to his London-based employer, where he was recently recruited.
The incident invited criticism from NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar, who accused the college of showing "Manuwadi" ideology and harassing the former student.
Birhade, in a video clip, alleged caste discrimination and claimed that when he asked the college authorities to send the necessary verification, they questioned him about his caste.
"I got a job in a firm in London. During the process, the firm sought reference verification from my college. However, the college did not provide the reference verification, and I lost my job. I lost my job opportunity because I belong to the Scheduled Caste category, and I am Buddhist," he had said.
He further claimed that when he contacted the head of the department, she asked him about his caste.
"Later, she told me that, as per the principal's instructions, she would not be able to recommend me. I told her that the college doesn't have to provide a recommendation to the firm. It just has to tell the firm that I studied at the college between 2020 and 2023," he alleged.
Birhade also claimed that the HOD told him he was insincere and irregular during his time at the college.
Shyamkant Deshmukh, the college's vice principal, however, refuted Birhade's allegations of caste discrimination, calling them baseless.
"After completing graduation in commerce, when Prem was going overseas for further education, the college had given him a letter of recommendation. Now, claims are being made that he lost his job, but in reality, he has not lost his job. He was in the process of joining, and the third-party firm sent an email to the college seeking verification on September 30. In that mail, the firm had not given any deadline to furnish the reference verification," he said.
He said that on October 14, the college provided the bona fide certificate and the information sought in the proforma to the firm.
Asked about the delay in response, Deshmukh said the job profile was related to aviation, and since receiving such a mail was new to the educational institute, it took time to respond, as accurate data needed to be furnished.
He clarified that the caste discrimination allegations were unfounded, asserting that more than 50,000 students from all sections of society study at the institution.
NCP (SP) MLA Pawar, in a post on X on Sunday, said, "If the Modern College in Pune fails to verify the documents on time, resulting in a young student losing a job in London, this is not right. Is the Modern College administration attempting to harass the young man, Prem Birhade, with the same mentality that led to the attempt to throw a shoe at the Chief Justice of India?"
He claimed that while the college staff was cooperative, the new principal, who was appointed to the post by bypassing all rules, laws, and seniority, has "Manuwadi" ideology.
"It does not behove the principal to play such Manuwadi games in a college, which has a good reputation and a grand legacy," he wrote.
The college should provide the necessary cooperation to the student, express regret and ensure that such mistakes don't recur in the future, he said in the post, adding that the college should stop indulging in "Manuwadi" politics.
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.
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.
_vb_21.jpeg)