India, Sept. 6 -- Dalit PhD scholar Anagha Shasi has begun an indefinite hunger strike at Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University in Kerala after 22 days of protest over alleged caste and gender discrimination, harassment and denial of academic opportunities, Maktoob Media reported.

Shasi alleges that her PhD research has been stalled for more than a year. She joined the university's Department of Environmental Science in March 2024 and says that although she completed her coursework, her Doctoral Committee has not been convened and her annual progress report remains pending.

She has also raised concerns that the delay could affect her fellowship from the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.

Allegations of c...