Varanasi - In a controversial decision, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has stripped Dr. Ashok Kumar Sonkar, Assistant Professor of History in the Faculty of Social Sciences, of his PhD degree on grounds of plagiarism. The Academic Council, acting on the Permanent Committee’s findings, determined that Dr. Sonkar’s thesis, "A Cultural Study of the Garhwal Dynasty," was not an original work and revoked his right to use the title “Doctor.”
The case, which has stirred debate across academic circles, brings renewed attention to allegations of bias and discrimination faced by scholars from marginalized communities in prestigious institutions like BHU.
The accusations originated when Dr. Brinda Paranjape, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, lodged a complaint recommending an inquiry. Dr. Paranjape stated, “Plagiarism is a serious offense, and the penalty imposed is rather lenient. The university must take stringent action to set a strong example.” The council's decision was conveyed by Registrar Professor Arun Kumar Singh, who noted that the thesis was proven inauthentic, leading to its annulment. Additionally, Dr. Sonkar will not be eligible to supervise PhD students until he completes a fresh doctoral degree, for which the university granted him a reduced timeframe of two years instead of the usual three.
In his defense, Dr. Sonkar argued that he is being targeted due to his caste background, emphasizing that the plagiarism regulations were established in 2018, eight years after he completed his PhD in 2010. “My thesis was assessed using Orcid software in 2020, but the overlap detected was only seven percent, well within the acceptable limit of ten percent. Yet, my case wasn’t fairly considered,” he asserted, adding that faculty from marginalized backgrounds often face discrimination in top-tier institutions.
Despite the revocation, BHU has allowed Dr. Sonkar to retain his post as Assistant Professor and continue receiving other employment benefits, including annual increments and potential promotions. His current PhD students will be reassigned to other faculty members within the department.
The Mooknayak reached out to Dr. Ashok Kumar Sonkar to learn about his future course of action following the revocation of his doctoral degree. Dr. Sonkar responded, stating that he would provide details once he had the time to discuss the matter further.
The university’s action comes amid longstanding allegations of bias within India’s higher education institutions, where marginalized scholars often report experiencing differential treatment. In a media report, Professor N.K. Mishra, BHU’s Controller of Examinations, endorsed the council’s decision, stating, “Such acts must be met with strict action to maintain academic integrity.”
As the academic community awaits further developments, BHU’s stance will likely impact discussions on academic equity and institutional biases in India’s elite universities.
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