The Department of Social Justice has issued a formal clarification regarding the scholarship funds allocated to Ph.D. student Bharathidasan for the 2025-2026 academic year. According to the department, a total of Rs 36 lakh was sanctioned, with Rs 5,01,638 transferred directly to the university's bank account and the remaining Rs 30,98,362 deposited into the student's personal account.
The department stated that the student was instructed to submit vouchers for research and living expenses totaling Rs 27,40,140, excluding visa and airfare costs. However, officials noted that the student failed to provide the necessary documentation. Despite this, when the student requested the full scholarship amount for the 2026-2027 academic year, the department released Rs 12 lakh—comprising Rs 5.57 lakh for tuition fees and Rs 6.65 lakh for living expenses—to support his continued education.
Regarding the student's request for an additional Rs 19.50 lakh for second-year research expenses, the department clarified that the proposal had not been recommended by the university registrar. Furthermore, the department revealed that documentation submitted by the student for the first year was found to be insufficient, with expenses amounting to Rs 8,17,962 deemed unacceptable. The student was asked to provide a formal explanation for these discrepancies but has yet to do so.
The department confirmed that it has sent an email to the university registrar requesting a formal recommendation regarding the student's Rs 19.50 lakh research funding request, with a copy provided to the student. The department emphasized that the funds would be released pending a response from the university.
In its statement, the Department of Social Justice expressed concern that the student had posted a video on the social media platform X containing "inaccurate information" following the receipt of this communication.