The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, (IIT B) is about to introduce a course on caste awareness, which as per sources would be mandatory. The decision has been taken after a survey conducted by the SC/ST cell of the institute regarding the difficulties faced by the students regarding their caste identities.
The SC/ST cell believes that inclusiveness can only be achieved through sensationalization. This move is to sensationalize the issue of caste discrimination. The content and the nature of the course is under discussion.
“At IIT-Bombay, it was observed that more sensitization events would enhance inclusivity and help reduce complaints. For example, increased awareness of caste-based and racist slurs that have entered into colloquial language would help eliminate such slurs and thus, improve cordiality in any environment,” said the cell in a press note.
An open house discussion on caste issues was also conducted on the caste discrimination and difficulties faced by the students because of that. The cell is also planning to implement a mentorship program in which the senior students would interact with the junior students belonging to the SC/ST and brief them with the objectives of the cell. This move is to make the campus free of caste or racial discrimination as per the university sources.
The SC/ST cell is presided by Professor Bharat Adsul of the department of computer science and engineering as the convener and Professor Madhu N Belur of the department of electrical engineering as the co-convener.
