A daily-wage employee at the Central University of Kerala belonging to a Schedule Tribe has alleged caste bias in the termination of his job from a guest house at the university.
Rupesh Venu, from Malalakkallu, in Kasaragod has filed a complaint with the chairman of the Taluk Legal Service Authority seeking intervention.
According to his complaint, he was terminated from his job at the Nilgiri guest house on the ground that the dinner served to Vice-Chancellor Siddu P. Alagur’s residence on October 12 was bad. The guesthouse manager informed him that the Vice-Chancellor issued the instruction in this regard.
Mr. Rupesh said he remained out of work for a month, adding that his contract ended this month. He had been working at the hostel earlier.
He said in the complaint that while no action was taken against the cook, he, whose duty was limited to assisting the cooks, was suspended without inquiry.
He accused the Vice Chancellor of targeting him because he belonged to the Mavilan community. He said teachers and officers had faced similar behaviour but were hesitant to file complaints.
When contacted, the Vice Chancellor, dismissed the allegations. “ I got to know that he belonged to a Scheduled Tribe community only a a few days ago. I have sought a report from the manager on the issue,” he said.
Published – November 11, 2025 09:03 pm IST
