We strongly condemn the casteist attacks on social media against Dr. Maroona Murmu, Associate Professor of History, Jadavpur University. She was attacked for expressing her views about the need for inclusive educational practices in the current pandemic situation. The attack on Prof. Maroona Murmu once again proves that deep-rooted prejudices and injustice against the teachers and students coming from the deprived sections are engrained in our institutions and society.

The recent incident of a racial attack on the Black Americans proves that such discrimination persists even in the most developed country of the world. Indians are equally engaged in such hate-mongering based on caste, creed, gender, religion and ethnicity almost as a normal everyday practice. Academic institutions are not isolated from such inhuman social reality. However, the idea of ‘equality’ can be effectively learnt and implemented through institutions of academic learning, provided that cases of casteist abuse are strictly prohibited inside the academic community and the society at large. We, therefore, feel that the struggle for equality and justice within society and academic institutions should be a continuous process.

Caste does not prove one’s inability, but it is the incapacity of the casteist mind, which links caste identity with merit. Prof. Maroona has been an excellent student, scholar, and academician who is a voice of justice for the Dalit and Adivasi communities. Through her works, she has always strived towards making a better and equal society for everyone.

We the present and past students of Jawaharlal Nehru University, faculty, citizens, and members of civil society from various walks of life in West Bengal and elsewhere unitedly condemn such incidents of casteist attack on Prof. Maroona Murmu. We hereby stand in solidarity with her to reaffirm our commitment towards social justice and equality.