Madras High Court Issues Notice On Plea For Setting Up 'Department For BR Ambedkar Studies' In Thiruvalluvar University

The first bench of Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy was hearing the petition filed by Prof. I Elangovan, retired professor and member of Syndicate of the Thiruvalluvar University. In his petition, Mr. Elangovan sought directions to the Chancellor and Registrar of Thiruvalluvar University and the Principal Secretary to start the said department within a time frame fixed by the court.

Mr. Elangovan stated that the objectives for establishing the university is clear from The Thiruvalluvar University Act, 2002. He further highlighted that the university is created with the intention of promoting the interest of the Dalits and the Other Backward Classes of the society and the de-notified tribes and their art and literature. It has not been created with the object of rolling out graduates and postgraduates in various disciplines and thereafter to lead them to research in their field of study like the other state universities of Tamil Nadu.

He further states that as an elected member of the Syndicate from the Teachers Constituency, in the very first meeting of the syndicate on 27.12.2006, he moved a resolution for instituting a new department at the university called "Department of Dr. B. R Ambedkar Studies". The said resolution was unanimously passed with the whole hearted support of the then Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Higher Education Ganesan IAS, the then ex-officio member of the Syndicate of the Thiruvalluvar University.

In the Syndicate meeting held in 2008, it was unanimously resolved to recommend to the Chancellor for the institution of the department. It was also resolved further to consult the Dr Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi for the creation of Dr. Ambedkar chair in the Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore. Further, the academic council of the university also approved the proposal to start the department. Thus there was no impediment to start the university.

Though the Chancellor permitted the University to start the department, it was after nearly 15 months of passing the resolution by the Syndicate that the Chancellor, though the letter of his Secretary communicated his assent to the creation of the Department. However, no action has been taken on this proposal till date.

Mr. Elangovan also cited various universities where varied teaching-learning Programs with regard to Ambedkar Studies is being carried out and therefore sufficient materials are available to the University for the commencement of the Department of Dr. B.R Ambedkar.

He further highlighted the many representations that were made to the concerned authorities which did not see the light of the day. Under such circumstances, Mr. Elangovan had no other option but to approach the court seeking an appropriate remedy invoking Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

Case Title: Prof. I Elangovan v. The Chancellor, Thiruvalluvar University and Others

Case No: W.P No. 9721 of 2022