First Ambedkar-Kalaignar Fellow Completes Research at SOAS London

The inaugural Ambedkar-Kalaignar Visiting Fellowship at SOAS University of London is nearing completion, with its first recipient from Tamil Nadu concluding a three-month research project on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) welfare governance in the State.

The fellowship was instituted by Chennai-based technology entrepreneur V. Sabarisan and his wife, Senthamarai, daughter of former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. It was established with the objective of bringing the Dravidian movement’s principles of social justice, self-respect, and federalism to international academic and policy spheres.

Bagavanidhi M., an experienced researcher with a decade of work on SC and ST rights, was selected for the inaugural cohort out of 88 applicants. His research at SOAS examines the evolution of SC and ST Sub-Plan governance in Tamil Nadu, tracking the transition from planning-based frameworks to legislative enforcement. His study also looks at the conditions leading to the enactment of the Tamil Nadu Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, 2024.

Mr. Sabarisan stated that the idea for the fellowship emerged after he donated 170 books on the Dravidian movement and social justice to SOAS two years ago. On a subsequent visit to the university, he observed students engaging closely with the literature, prompting the creation of a formal academic programme.

The fellowship covers travel expenses, visa fees, term fees, and a three-month living stipend to allow scholars, journalists, or policymakers to pursue and present their work internationally.

Reflecting on the programme, Mr. Bagavanidhi noted that the fellowship provided him with an opportunity to interact with scholars and students from across the globe at SOAS, offering fresh perspectives and insights on social welfare issues.