G.g. Wankhede

Discrimination in Higher Education: Perception and Experiences of Obc Students G.g. Wankhede

Ideally, it is considered that the Higher Educational Institutions are free from any kind of biases, prejudices, stereotypes, discrimination and caste based discrimination in Indian scenario but the repercussions of caste based discrimination prevalent in Indian society is conspicuously visible in the higher education institutions and having its vicious impact on the educational attainment of the victims. The experiences of OBC students reflected that discrimination is because of belonging to less educated family, poor socio-economic status and rural based habitat. Discrimination shown by teachers is in the form of biased grading, sarcastic comments and partiality in good opportunities whereas other students dominate in the hostel by displaying showy life style to make them realize inferior to them. Caste laden comments and unnecessary denial or ignorance by administrative people towards OBC students is another form of discrimination. Therefore altogether experiences of discrimination leaving in lurch OBC students in higher education to perform poorly along with accumulation of emotional problems such as tension, frustrations, isolation, depression, mental block,and humiliation.