Tamil Nadu Dalit PhD Scholar in Malaysia Alleges Scholarship Delay Threatens Research

Bharathidasan Raman, a PhD scholar at the National University of Malaysia from Usilampatti in Madurai district, has alleged that delays in receiving financial aid under the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship have left him unable to continue his research. In an emotional appeal posted on social media, he stated the prolonged dispute over funds has put his academic future at risk and invoked the memory of Rohith Vemula, the Dalit student whose 2016 death became a national issue.

The scholar claimed that after raising concerns about non-release of scholarship funds, officials began questioning his research requirements and materials purchased with the funds, creating institutional pressure. The Tamil Nadu Social Justice Department responded by issuing a clarification alleging that Bharathidasan was spreading false information about the scholarship scheme.