A Dalit research scholar from Tamil Nadu, currently pursuing his PhD in Malaysia with government support, has accused the state’s Social Justice Department of harassment. Bharathidasan shared an emotional video on social media, claiming that his academic future is jeopardized due to the non-release of funds for his second year of research. He stated that he has already submitted the necessary accounts and university documents, yet the funding remains unapproved.
The allegations have triggered a political row, with former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin backing the scholar and asking Chief Minister Vijay to clarify the government’s position. Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu denied that the government stopped the scholar’s scholarship, saying the issue relates to the submission and verification of expenditure documents. The minister also described the allegations as an attempt to defame the state government. The department has now written to the Malaysian university seeking confirmation that the research materials and expenses claimed by the scholar are required for his research. The minister had also accused the allegations of being politically motivated. “For ages we didn’t study. I am the first in my village to pursue research. He also directly challenged Chief Minister Vijay to make the government’s position clear.
It also said questions were raised over documents relating to Rs 8.18 lakh of his first-year expenditure, including bills and proof of payment for research materials. The Rs 19.50 lakh will be released once the university provides the required recommendation, according to the state government. The government said Bharathidasan is among 181 students who received overseas education scholarships during 2025-26 and that no similar complaint about timely release of assistance was received from the other beneficiaries.
The government said the expenditure proposals submitted by Bharathidasan were not recommended by his university. Following an earlier video posted by Bharathidasan, the issue was raised in the Assembly, where Minister Vanni Arasu had denied the allegations, pointed to the funds already transferred to the scholar and said the delay was linked to the submission and verification of expenditure accounts. I am the first in my family too to pursue medical research,” he said, while appealing to the Tamil Nadu Social Justice Minister to tell him openly if the government does not want him to continue his research. Referring to the scholar’s invocation of Rohith Vemula, Stalin said he did not want the TVK government to carry such a “stigma”, even though the DMK is now in the Opposition.
