Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, 17 IISc faculty booked for caste discrimination

This news report details a serious case of alleged caste-based discrimination at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), involving Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan and 17 other faculty and administrative members. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of the story:

1. The Allegations

• D. Sanna Durgappa, a former faculty member at the IISc, has filed a First Information Report (FIR) accusing 18 individuals of caste-based discrimination and wrongful dismissal. The case was filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act.
• Durgappa, who belongs to the Bovi community (a Scheduled Caste), claims he faced casteist abuse after requesting funding for a laboratory and sitting area for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes members, as part of the institute’s Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan.
• The allegation further claims that after making this request, Durgappa was subjected to false accusations of sexual harassment and wrongfully dismissed from his position at the Centre for Sustainable Technology in 2014.

2. Specific Allegations Against Gopalakrishnan and Others

• Kris Gopalakrishnan and 17 other faculty and administrative members are named in the FIR.
• Durgappa alleges that the IISc director, Balaram P, and other governing council members orchestrated a “honey trap” to have him removed from his position.
• The FIR includes several high-ranking officials from the institute, including Sridhar Warrier, Anil Kumar, and Namrata Gundaih, among others.

3. Previous Investigation and Findings

• A 2017 investigation by a Karnataka Assembly committee reportedly found no evidence of sexual harassment against Durgappa and concluded that he was targeted due to his Dalit identity.
• Despite the committee’s findings and an agreement from the institute to reinstate him, Durgappa remains unemployed for over nine years.

4. Legal and Institutional Context

• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act is a legal framework to protect people from discrimination and violence based on caste, particularly in cases of abuse or harm caused by higher-caste individuals or institutional systems.
• The filing of the FIR in Sadashivnagar Police Station marks a serious escalation in the case, and further investigation is expected.

5. Response from the Accused

• As of now, none of the 18 accused individuals, including Kris Gopalakrishnan and the others from IISc, have publicly responded to the allegations.

This case highlights issues of caste-based discrimination and institutional abuse of power, particularly within academic institutions, and underscores the need for accountability and justice for marginalized groups. The involvement of a prominent figure like Kris Gopalakrishnan brings national attention to the issue.