The Tripura Tapasili Jati Somonnoy Samiti has raised serious allegations of caste-based discrimination and administrative harassment against officials of the Regional Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (RIPSAT), Agartala.

In a statement issued by the Samiti, general secretary and former MLA Sudhan Das claimed that Professor Dr. Nilimask Das, a senior faculty member of RIPSAT and a Scheduled Caste academic, has been subjected to systematic victimization by the institute’s acting principal, Rishi Raj Chettri, and certain senior state officials.

According to the Samiti, Dr. Das — who was nominated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and elected as a member of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) — has allegedly been barred from attending PCI meetings despite his lawful nomination. The association accused the acting principal of obstructing his participation out of “jealousy and bias,” even though the PCI had officially confirmed that Dr. Das’s membership was valid under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and required no additional state approval.

“Despite PCI’s written confirmation that Dr. Das’s appointment follows all rules and procedures, he has been denied access to council meetings, while the acting principal attends them regularly. This clearly reflects double standards,” the Samiti’s statement read.

The organization further alleged that although Dr. Das is the senior-most faculty member, he was overlooked for the post of acting principal, which, by institutional norms, should have been his. His formal representations to the department secretary reportedly went unanswered.

The Samiti stated that after Dr. Das pressed his claims, the acting principal became “abusive and threatening,” allegedly vowing to obstruct his career progression. Matters escalated when, on July 28, Dr. Das reportedly found the wall of his designated office broken, his desk cleared, and his chairs removed without any alternate seating provided.

Despite repeated complaints to the Department Secretary, Chief Secretary, and New Capital Complex Police Station, no remedial action has reportedly been taken. Dr. Das has since petitioned the Tripura Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, seeking justice and protection.

For over three months, the professor has allegedly been forced to carry out his duties without a proper office space.

The Samiti has demanded immediate restoration of Dr. Das’s office and working facilities, adequate security arrangements to ensure his dignity and safety, and a formal inquiry to identify and punish those responsible for the alleged harassment.

“Our organization strongly condemns this injustice and calls upon democratic citizens of Tripura to raise their voices against such caste-based persecution,” said Sudhan Das.

He urged the state government to take swift and decisive action to uphold fairness and dignity within educational institutions.