Pune: Students from the Department of Sociology at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) have brought serious allegations against the department head, Dr. Shruti Tambe, accusing her of caste-based discrimination, mental harassment, and misuse of authority. A formal complaint has been submitted to Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi, demanding an inquiry into her conduct.
The students allege that Dr. Tambe frequently uses derogatory language during lectures and in public, makes sarcastic and humiliating comments, and creates a hostile academic environment. In a meeting held on March 29, attended by approximately 50 students, these concerns were openly discussed. The minutes of this meeting were attached to the formal complaint submitted on April 12 to the Vice-Chancellor.
According to the complaint, Dr. Tambe allegedly mocks students in public, criticizes their clothing and lifestyle choices, and often delegates her lectures to PhD students. She is also accused of using inappropriate terms such as “anti-intellectual,” “rowdy,” and “cheap” to describe students receiving scholarships. Furthermore, students part of the Earn and Learn scheme reportedly face delays in obtaining signatures and are subjected to late-night messages and phone calls. Attendance mismanagement, classes scheduled on Sundays, and behavior leading to mental stress were also part of the grievances.
This isn’t the first time such allegations have been raised against Dr. Tambe. On June 1, 2023, a similar letter was sent to the Vice-Chancellor by 40 students, outlining instances of caste discrimination, abusive language, and vindictive actions. However, no action was reportedly taken at that time.
The students have reiterated their demand for an independent inquiry committee to be constituted and for immediate intervention from university authorities to address what they describe as a pattern of institutional apathy and academic discrimination.
