Chennai, Sept. 18 -- A Dalit research scholar from Tamil Nadu pursuing his PhD in Malaysia has alleged that the state's Social Justice Department is harassing him by not releasing funds for his second year of research, even after he submitted university documents.

Bharathidasan Raman posted a video on Thursday, September 17, in which he claimed that the delay in releasing his funds made his research come to a standstill. He said he received funds under the Dr BR Ambedkar Overseas Education Scholarship Scheme last year, but not this year. "The matter was even discussed in the Legislative Assembly," Raman said.

Raman said the lack of funding has put him at risk of being removed from the university over non-payment of his fees. "After this...