Dalit man loses Heathrow job after Pune college denies verification, Prakash Ambedkar calls it “casteism”
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A Dalit man from Maharashtra, Prem Birhade, who recently graduated from the University of Sussex in the UK, reportedly lost his job offer at Heathrow Airport after Pune’s Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce allegedly refused to verify his academic credentials.
The incident has sparked outrage after Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar accused the college of caste-based discrimination.
According to Ambedkar, Prem had submitted all necessary documents to Modern College in Pune for verification. However, the college allegedly declined to confirm his credentials, citing caste as a reason.
He also pointed out that the college’s principal, Dr. Nivedita Gajanan Ekbote — who is also the Maharashtra Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJP’s youth wing) — allowed her political and ideological alignment to influence the college’s administrative decisions.
Ambedkar stated that the verification had already been provided when Prem went to London to pursue higher studies. However, when Prem requested it again for his employment, the college administration had inquired about his caste.
He further said that Prem’s journey from Nandurbar, a poor tribal district, to the UK had not been an easy one, and that Prem’s case was a glaring example of how systemic caste discrimination continued to haunt Dalit youth, even after they had broken through enormous social and economic barriers.
He demanded immediate action and accountability, emphasising that Prem’s case reflects the challenges faced by many Dalit students whose academic and career opportunities are hindered because of their caste background.
In a video that went viral, Prem displayed his documents and declared, “I am not begging; I am demanding my rights.” In another post, he wrote, “The UK gave me a degree and a job, but a Pune college took away the opportunity,” adding, “My journey hasn’t stopped; it has now begun for society… Jai Bhim, Jai Bhim.”
Responding to the allegations, Dr. Nivedita Gajanan Ekbote said that Prem had recently approached the college once again, demanding that an Education Reference for employment purposes be issued under her signature. She explained that, considering his unsatisfactory conduct and disciplinary record during his tenure as a student, and in accordance with institutional policy, the college had decided not to issue any further recommendation or reference letter.
However, her letter itself acknowledged that “the student has already been issued three Letters of Recommendation (LORs) and one Bonafide Certificate by the college administration in the past.”
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation on social media, with many calling it a reflection of deep-rooted casteism in Pune’s academic institutions and beyond.
Several users criticised the incident, with one saying, “Pune was always casteist and will remain that way. Even those who have built a mini Kothrud in the US flaunt their caste and class identity with bigoted pride under the guise of ‘culture.’”
Academic @ProfRavikantK wrote, “The structural hate and humiliation marginalized caste students endure to avail overseas opportunities, compared to the cottage industry of consultancies velvet-shipping IB-educated elite teens overseas, tells you how rotten things are.”
Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde remarked, “Exactly the type of ‘meritdhari’ gatekeeping that makes a case for encouraging diversity quotas in all fields of Indian endeavour.”
Writer Raju Parulekar added, “The Manuvadis are not letting off a single opportunity to squander the greatest professional opportunities earned by bright students from backward classes through perseverance and grit. This is the reality of ‘Brahmin Genes.’ This is Brahminism. This is Manusmriti. Next time a ‘Brahmin Gene’ fudges around about meritocracy, throw this example in his face.”
Advocate Priyadarshi Telang also commented, “Caste discrimination can ripple across borders and derail lives.”