CHENNAI: Bharathidasan Raman, a research scholar pursuing a PhD at the National University of Malaysia under the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship, has accused Tamil Nadu social justice minister Vanni Arasu and department officials of harassing him and questioning his credibility over his demand for funds for his second year of research.In a video message released on Thursday, Bharathidasan, a native of Usilampatti in Madurai district, said the non-release of funds had stalled his research for the past six months and would prevent him from attending a programme at AIIMS Delhi on Oct 6 to present a paper on “Establishment of an In Vitro Aging Brain Model for the Study of MSC-EV Effects on Epigenetics and Bioenergetics.”He claimed that he faced the threat of being removed from the university over unpaid fees. “I am going to be eliminated from the college,” he said.“In the month of April, I raised the issue of non-release of funds for my second year of research. The issue was flagged in the state assembly, but minister Vanni Arasu denied it. I had shared documents, excluding certain sensitive and confidential documents, in the public forum,” he said.Bharathidasan alleged that instead of resolving the issue, the social justice minister and officials had questioned the details of the research materials he had sought funds to purchase. “I am specifically being targeted by you, using all your power to oppress me,” he said, directly addressing Vanni Arasu.“I had even mentioned my earlier email and given my ethics code. I shared my project and title details too. Now, you have sent a mail, starting the issue from the beginning by questioning whether I purchased the items and materials that I had listed in my mail for my research purposes. But your response has spoiled my research, credibility and also damaged my professors’ trust in me. Very good, sir,” he said.Bharathidasan said he was the first person from his family and village to pursue medical research and appealed to the minister not to make it difficult for him to continue his studies.“If you want to convey that I should not pursue research, please let me know. I request you not to inflict mental torture on me. If you are unable to extend financial support, please let me know. So, I will look for alternative sources and some other institutions in India or elsewhere to continue my studies,” he said.Vanni Arasu was unavailable for comment on the latest allegations. He had earlier rejected Bharathidasan’s allegation in the assembly, saying the scholar received Rs 35 lakh in 2025 but had not submitted the required expenditure records for further assistance. The minister had said the govt had released Rs 48 lakh towards his academic and related expenses.Recalling dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, Bharathidasan said, “What that ministry did to him is what this (social justice ministry) is doing to me.”He apologised to his well-wishers and friends before ending the video message by saying, “Jai Bhim.”Sources said the research scholar had recently spoken to VCK leader Thol Thirumalavan, who in turn, had assured him that he would soon receive the fund to continue his study. Vanni Arasu is the lone VCK minister in the TVK cabinet.Leader of opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday condemned the TVK govt over the case of Bharathidasan. In a post on X, Udhayanidhi said the student had earlier flagged the delay in receiving his scholarship and had now released a video alleging that the govt was threatening his education. Udhayanidhi accused the govt of perpetrating “social injustice” and targeting the student for raising the scholarship issue. Udhayanidhi said the govt should not disrupt Bharathidasan’s education.
