Statement of solidarity with Comrade Dheeran! | JNU Tamil Students’ Association

September 25, 2026

STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH COMRADE DHEERAN!

WE CONDEMN THE CANCELLATION OF HIS ADMISSION BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS!!

REINSTATE STUDENT ACTIVIST DHEERAN! DOWN WITH UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS’ CASTEIST MOVE

The JNU Tamil Students’ Association expresses its strong solidarity with Comrade Dheeran, a student activist at the University of Madras. We condemn the University of Madras administration’s decision to cancel his admission to the M.A. Indian Philosophy programme. Comrade Dheeran, who comes from a rural working-class Dalit community background and is a first-generation graduate, had previously completed his M.A. in Public Administration at the University of Madras. For the 2026–28 academic year, he secured admission to the M.A. Indian Philosophy programme after paying the required fees and had been attending classes for nearly two months. The university denied him admission to the hostel, stating that no hostel accommodation can be provided for a second master’s degree without any statutes or rules. After his request for hostel accommodation was denied, he submitted a representation to the University Registrar on 7 Sept, 2026. The very next day, he was informed that his admission had been cancelled, with the administration citing alleged violations of student conduct rules during the previous academic year.

What raises serious concern is that, according to the available account, no formal disciplinary proceedings or inquiry had been initiated against Comrade Dheeran during the previous academic year. He persistently voices out for students’ rights and better amenities, and has provoked the university’s ire against Dheeran. His consistent participation in struggles concerning students’ rights, campus facilities, social justice and caste discrimination was the actual context behind the action. It ranged from denial of admission to a university hostel to cancellation of admission. The institutional casteism of the University of Madras and its casteist administration should refrain from being a “Gatekeeping institution”.

Universities are spaces for critical thought, democratic debate and the assertion of students’ rights. Students cannot be punished for raising questions about institutional functioning, demanding better facilities, or speaking against caste discrimination. Administrative powers must not become instruments for silencing dissent or victimising students who organise collectively. We are particularly concerned by the broader questions of caste discrimination and institutional accountability raised in this case and demand an impartial enquiry. The University of Madras should actively maintain, without interference from anti-social-justice elements, a Discrimination Complaints Redressal Committee and an Equal Opportunity Cell, tasked with addressing caste-based discrimination and ensuring equality within the university.

We therefore stand firmly in solidarity with Comrade Dheeran, and we appeal to all the democratic forces to stand with Comrade Dheeran and all students resisting discrimination and defending democratic rights on university campuses.

Therefore, we demand:

The immediate restoration of Comrade Dheeran’s admission and his right to continue his education without victimisation.
A transparent and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of his admission.
An end to all forms of caste-based discrimination, intimidation and retaliation within the University of Madras.
Protection of students’ democratic rights to organise, raise grievances and peacefully campaign for student welfare and social justice.
Effective functioning of institutional mechanisms for addressing caste discrimination and protecting the rights of SC/ST and other marginalised students.

EDUCATION IS OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT, WHICH CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN FOR RAISING ONE’S VOICE AGAINST OPRESSION.

– JNU TAMIL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

LONG LIVE PERIYAR; MARX; AMBEDKAR