A student named Bharathidasan, who went to study at the National University of Malaysia under the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scheme, has been repeatedly appealing to the government since April, saying that he is facing severe hardship because he has not received his educational scholarship.
This matter has now become a major debate. In this situation, the clarification statement issued by the Ministry of Social Justice said, ``Student Bharathidasan has posted a video on the X platform and recorded false information. While the student has so far been given a total of Rs. 48 lakh, comprising Rs. 36 lakh for the first year and Rs. 12 lakh for the second year, the remarks mentioned in the student’s video are completely contrary to the truth and are intended to defame."
Student Bharathidasan has responded to the government’s allegation. In it, he said, “Another report had come from the Department of Social Justice. It stated, ‘You have still not replied to the bill sent on the 20th.’ But I had already replied to it. Saying that I did not reply is incorrect information. Please check whether the email I sent is perhaps in your spam folder.”
I had already sent the fee receipt on August 26. Here is the proof of that, which I am showing now on the screen. But you are spreading the false message, through your Information Technology Wing (IT Wing), that “I never sent it,” and ruining my dream.
Furthermore, you are also saying that “the student is misusing the scheme.” I make a humble request to the Social Justice Department. I think it would be good if the government released details of how many people are pursuing doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees under this scheme.
Because most people pursue only a master’s degree. A master’s is just a one-year course. For that, it is enough to provide college fees and living expenses for one year. But research studies are not like that. For that, you have to pay tuition fees.
Equipment needed for research must be purchased. One must attend conferences. Books must be bought and read. One must think about research alone, 24 hours a day.
Some people asked, “Couldn’t you have studied in India itself?” In India, I received a junior research fellowship called “Junior Research Fellowship” (JRF). But I came here to continue my studies because I got an even bigger opportunity abroad, and also because I believe that if I complete my studies here, I may be able to become a professor at top institutions like IIT and IISc.
By giving up the stipend I should have received through JRF, I have put my parents through a lot of hardship. Without any stipend at all, I have been dedicating all my time to this research and working hard for it.
But it is very painful to me that you keep launching personal attacks against me again and again. Yes, you gave Rs. 36 lakhs. I had already sent the bills for Rs. 37 lakhs on June 8. After that, I also sent the explanations you asked for, along with all the details, through the university itself.
What you say you provided refers to the money given for the first year. What you have given now is only for six months’ living expenses. That too has been exhausted.
I had requested additional funding to purchase the Cells, Reagents, and Consumables needed for research. But so far, this issue has still not been resolved. The Social Justice Department keeps repeatedly making the false claim that “I did not send the bill.”
Then what is the answer to these documents I am showing? What is the response to the documents sent on June 8 and to the email recently sent by the university? Even when you asked for clarification again, I have already provided the proper explanation,” he noted, and showed the original documents in the video.