New Delhi: Delhi University’s Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) has discharged an assistant professor with immediate effect following a nearly two-year inquiry into allegedly objectionable content in political science study material prepared and reviewed by him.The inquiry flagged references to beef consumption, Manusmriti and Apastamba Dharmasutra in the context of untouchability, besides derogatory descriptions of women in Hindi-language material.An office order dated Oct 30, issued by the CDOE director, states that Saripalli V Ravikiran of the political science department was discharged on the recommendation of the centre’s governing body and with the vice-chancellor’s approval. The order cites continued “unsatisfactory performance” during his extended probation.An inquiry committee report dated Feb 17, 2026, concluded that Ravikiran had been “negligent and careless” in discharging his academic duties. It examined discrepancies in two self-learning materials (SLMs) — Understanding Ambedkar and Understanding Political Theory.In Understanding Ambedkar, the committee objected to discussions outside the prescribed syllabus, extensive references to beef consumption and selective references to Manusmriti and Apastamba Dharmasutra in the context of untouchability. It also called the inclusion of Sharmila Rege’s Against the Madness of Manu (2013) unnecessary.In Understanding Political Theory, it flagged descriptions of women as “seductresses, cunning and dishonest towards their husbands”, saying they were offensive and “reflect a lack of respect for the subjects”. It objected to phrases such as “as stated in Brahminical texts” and “as Manu stated” without substantive references, besides translation errors and factual inaccuracies.The report further flagged high similarity and AI scores above prescribed limits and delays in submitting learning material.The proceedings began in July 2024, when School of Open Learning (SOL), later renamed CDOE, issued memoranda over discrepancies in the materials. An external review recommended rewriting Understanding Ambedkar. Ravikiran’s probation was extended by a year in Feb 2025 over unsatisfactory performance.A fact-finding committee recommended a detailed inquiry, following which the SOL governing body constituted an inquiry committee on Dec 5, 2025. After hearings in Jan 2026, it submitted the report on Feb 17. A show-cause notice proposing a major penalty was issued on April 1.Ravikiran contested the findings in a five-page representation, alleging procedural lapses and inadequate institutional support. He said he had to prepare entire textbooks within month-long deadlines while handling 16 teaching hours a week and preparing over 800 multiple-choice questions per course. He said he had sought peer review of Understanding Ambedkar in June 2024 and was not given an opportunity to revise the material before punitive action was proposed.He also said the fact-finding committee included a professor of physics and astrophysics to assess specialised political science material and the Hindi material predated his appointment by nearly three years.Citing limited proficiency in academic Hindi, he claimed to have requested vetting by a Hindi-proficient colleague and flagged translation problems to the director and the printing section in March 2024. He also alleged that his increments were withheld and probation arbitrarily extended.Delhi University Teachers’ Association, in a letter dated Oct 31 to CDOE director Ajay Jaiswal, termed the discharge procedurally unfair and sought its withdrawal and Ravikiran’s reinstatement. On Tuesday, it called a university-wide shutdown.SOL director Payal Mago said classes were held as scheduled and claimed that no teacher from the department participated in the shutdown. Regarding the termination, she pointed to the discrepancies in the material highlighted by the inquiry committee.TOI didn’t receive any response from Ravikiran.
