Indian Student Alleges Racial Bias at Oxford University

Lakshmi Balakrishnan, an Indian student enrolled at Oxford University in the UK, has accused the institution of racial discrimination and systemic harassment. After her PhD thesis on Shakespeare was rejected, Balakrishnan initiated legal proceedings, claiming racial bias and procedural irregularities have marred her academic pursuit.

In a startling revelation, Indian student Lakshmi Balakrishnan, hailing from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has accused the prestigious Oxford University of racial bias, harassment, and injustice.

Enrolled in October 2018 to pursue a PhD in Shakespeare at Oxford, Balakrishnan claims her assessors failed her during an internal assessment in November 2021. She alleges that this failure, justified by the assertion that Shakespeare does not warrant doctoral study, constitutes a breach of contract by the university.

Balakrishnan noted that her PhD scope remained unchanged since her application, and despite following all appeals and complaints processes, she felt the procedures were inadequate. The university and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator did not uphold her appeal, citing the assessors' academic judgment.

The student is challenging what she perceives as racial bias and procedural irregularities rather than the academic judgment itself. With over £100,000 spent on her education, she initiated legal action after exhausting institutional appeal mechanisms, claiming the ordeal has financially disadvantaged her and affected her job prospects.

A Go fund page has been created to seek public financial support for her legal battle. Balakrishnan appeals to the university's Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor but has received no positive response. She asserts that her case exhibits severe irregularities and systemic biases, particularly racial bias, in Oxford's English faculty.

Balakrishnan alleged that two white students in her cohort had their Shakespeare theses accepted, while hers was rejected. Moreover, she claims she was transferred to a Master's course without her consent, violating natural justice principles.

Facing systemic bullying and harassment, she recounts an incident in 2019 involving a senior academic assessor who she said targeted her based on racial motives. She believes there is a deep-rooted bias against Indian students and a resistance to allowing students of color to excel.

Adding to her grievances, Balakrishnan alleges academic misconduct and plagiarism by one of her assessors, which she says undermines the integrity of the assessment decision.

In another related case, Rashmi Samant, the first Indian elected as President of the Oxford Student Union, details similar experiences of racial and religious discrimination in her book 'A Hindu in Oxford'.

(With inputs from agencies.)