Vanni Arasu Refutes Overseas Research Scholar's Financial Aid Allegations

Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu rejected allegations in the Tamil Nadu assembly in Chennai that the state government withheld financial assistance from a scholar studying in Malaysia under an overseas scholarship scheme.

Responding to a calling-attention motion in the assembly, Arasu clarified that Bharathidasan, a research scholar pursuing higher education in Malaysia under the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship, had not submitted required expenditure documents while seeking additional funds.

Bharathidasan had recently posted a video on social media alleging that he had not received state financial assistance this year despite repeated appeals to officials.

Refuting the claim, the minister stated that the scholar had already received the maximum assistance of ₹35 lakh sanctioned to a student under the scheme in 2025. However, the scholar failed to provide the necessary records detailing how the earlier funds were spent before seeking further grants.

Arasu noted that without submitting the required expenditure records, Bharathidasan had demanded financial assistance for the current year as well. He informed the house that despite the documentation lapse, the state government has released a total of ₹48 lakh so far towards the student's academic and other expenses.

During the discussion, the opposition DMK raised concerns regarding the overseas scholarship programme, accusing the social justice department of failing Dalit students. DMK member Paranthamen stated that educational assistance for 300 students was rejected by universities in England because the funding was not recognised as a formal scholarship, leaving the future of over 300 students uncertain.