Dalit Scholar in Malaysia Alleges Harassment Over Stalled Tamil Nadu Funds

A Dalit research scholar from Tamil Nadu pursuing his doctorate in Malaysia has accused the state's Social Justice Department of harassment, saying delays in releasing his second-year research funding have put his academic future at risk. In an emotional video posted from abroad, Bharathidasan, who is working towards a PhD in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said he had submitted his accounts and university documents but the money had still not come through.

Drawing a parallel with Rohith Vemula, the University of Hyderabad scholar whose death in 2016 sparked nationwide protests over the treatment of Dalit students, Bharathidasan said the department was treating him the same way. He warned that the university could "eliminate" him if the funding impasse continued, and appealed to be told plainly if the government did not want him to continue his research. "Don't torture me mentally," he said, adding that he was unwell and might have to look for alternative sources of support in India or elsewhere. He noted that he is the first person in his family and village to pursue research.

The allegations have snowballed into a political confrontation. DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin backed the scholar, arguing that he was not asking for charity but for a right the government had promised. Stalin said a change of government should not destroy a student's long-cherished dream of higher education, and challenged Chief Minister Vijay to state the government's position openly. If the funds cannot be provided, Stalin said, the DMK and the people of Tamil Nadu would pay the scholar's fees and ensure he continues his studies.

The government has rejected the charges. Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu denied that the scholarship had been stopped, describing the dispute as one over the submission and verification of expenditure documents, and called the allegations an attempt to defame the state. In a detailed statement, the Social Justice Department said Bharathidasan had been sanctioned assistance of up to Rs 36 lakh a year for three years under the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Education Scholarship scheme. The full amount for the first year, 2025-26, was released, and Rs 12 lakh has already been paid for the second year, 2026-27, towards university fees and living expenses — a total of Rs 48 lakh across the two years.

What remains unresolved is a further Rs 19.50 lakh sought for second-year research expenses. The department said the expenditure proposals submitted by the scholar were not recommended by his university, and that questions had been raised over documents covering Rs 8.18 lakh of first-year spending, including bills and proof of payment for research materials. It has now written to the Malaysian university seeking confirmation that the materials and expenses claimed are required for his research, and says the Rs 19.50 lakh will be released once that recommendation is received.

The issue had already been raised in the Assembly after an earlier video by the scholar, where the minister similarly pointed to funds already transferred and attributed the delay to verification of accounts, calling the allegations politically motivated. The fresh video has revived the row. The government also said Bharathidasan is among 181 students who received overseas scholarships in 2025-26, and that no other beneficiary had complained about delayed assistance.

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the DMK government's expansion of the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Education Scholarship scheme, which supports Adi Dravidar, tribal and Christian Adi Dravidar students pursuing higher education and research abroad. Beneficiary numbers rose from 35 in 2023-24 to 163 in 2024-25 and 181 in 2025-26. For 2026-27, assistance has been sanctioned for 365 students with an allocation of Rs 131 crore, nearly double the previous year's figure. The scheme offers up to Rs 36 lakh per student each year towards tuition, living and other expenses.