High Court Suspends Actions Against Students From Jain University Who Performed A "Derogatory" Skit About Ambedkar And Dalits

The lawsuit against seven students and two staff members of Jain University, who were charged with conducting a "derogatory" skit against Dalits and B R Ambedkar, has been temporarily halted by the High Court of Karnataka.

On Wednesday, the case against the students was suspended, but earlier that day, on July 5, the case against the faculty members who had submitted a separate petition was suspended. Following a complaint made by the assistant director of the Social Welfare Department, the students were charged with violating the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly enacting a derogatory play against Dalits and B. R. Ambedkar.

On February 8, 2023, the seven students of the Jain Deemed-to-be University Institution gave what they have described as a "satirical drama skit which revolves around the reservation system prevailing in society" in their college. The NIMHANS Convention Centre served as the venue for the performance. On February 10, a complaint was made, and that same day, a FIR was also made. The bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna, a single judge, heard two different petitions that were filed. The students' skit performance was a part of the 23rd Jain University Youth Fest. A recording of the skit on a compact disc has also been delivered to the HC along with the petition. Following the granting of the temporary stay on Wednesday, the HC has postponed the hearing on the case.