NCST asks IIT Bombay to file FIR against head counsellor for casteist social media post

NCST has written to IIT Bombay and demanded an FIR against Hima Anaredy, head counsellor at the Student Welfare Centre, for her alleged casteist social media post and remarks. The commission has also directed the institute to take action against the lack of mental health support for ST students, sensitize the campus about discrimination, and have more representation of STs in students, faculty and counsellors.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has written to the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) and asked the institute to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Hima Anaredy, head counsellor at the Student Welfare Centre, for her alleged casteist social media post and remarks.

NCST's letter reads, "The present case relates to apartheid, lack of proper counselling for the SC/ST students of IIT Bombay. The petitioner alleges that IIT Bombay has a Students Welfare Centre (SWC). However, it has no SC/ST Counsellor, the head counsellor Ms Hima Anaredy is brazenly vocal about her casteist and anti-reservation views that make SC/ST students uncomfortable about approaching her and the alumni initiative for mental health services named "Bandhu" lacks caste based mental health services."

"The petitioners through their representation to the Commission demanded termination of the head counsellor MS Hima Anaredy, recruitment of expert counsellors who are trained to handle caste-based issues, recruitment of expert counsellors who are trained to handle caste-based issues, recruitment of professional counsellors with SC/ST/OBC background and organisation of compulsory caste sensitization programs and workshops for employees, faculties and students," added the letter.

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