The following is an open letter for the college from the concerned alumni of the college.
Warm Greetings,
We the undersigned members of the MSSW family take pleasure in congratulating the Institution for attaining 30th rank in the 2021NIRF ranking. We are also delighted to know about the commendable efforts during the recent Chennai floods and playing a key role in demanding an Inclusive urban resettlementpolicy. While we continue to take pride in theInstitution’s great feat, we would also like to take responsibility in highlighting few graveconcerns. we hope that the concerns raised inthis letter will be received in good spirit.
Discovering an article in “Thagali” magazine praising the alleged abuser Mr.Vairamuthuwas painful and offensive for many of us. We understand that our beloved Dr.Manjula has beautifully penned and published the “சமூகப்பணியில் ஒரு சகாப்தம்” (roughly translated to : A Legend in Social Work),a glimpse into our late founder Ms.MaryClubwala Jhadhav’s journey in establishing MSSW. Our founder, a pioneer in Social Work and recipient of multiple awards, also became an icon for numerous women and social workers across the country byshattering stereotypes and battling patriarchy. Ironically, Mr.Vairamuthu has released the first copy of “A Legend in Social Work”. This is an act that is likely to be regarded as disgraceful to the Institution’s age-oldprestige and to our founder herself.
During the wave of 2018 #Metoo movement, Mr.Vairamuthu was alleged of sexual harassment by Ms.Chinmayi Sripadafollowed by Ms. Sinduja Raman, a Californiabased musician. Ever since, there have been several accusations on this infamous lyricist. Even the reputed “The Hindu” retracted its article praising Mr.Vairamuthu after inviting criticism from several readers. Following an uproar from many women rights activists, InDecember 2019 SRM Institute put on hold itsevent to confer a honorary doctorate to Mr.Vairamuthu. And the special guest for the event, Hon’ble. Minister Rajnath Singh backed out citing ‘other’ reasons. DespiteMs.Chinamyi Sripada’s complaint to theNational Women’s Commission, no efforts have been made even to investigate the matter. It was under these circumstances that many artists in the Tamil film industry andeven literary circles boycotted and ended ties with Mr.Vairamuthu. When several respected Individuals and Industries assumed a moral responsibility to stand by the survivors, oursbeing a social work Institution, should have walked the talk or at least avoidedplatforming and affiliating with such an Individual
Ms.Chinmayi Sripada, has already condemned our Institution’s action in one of her post. Adding insult to injury, some faculty have resorted to ‘victim blaming’ in the name of responding to student concern. Such insensitive response disregards the struggle of numerous survivors and alongside ridicules the established academic arguments ongender, power and patriarchy, the benefits of which we continue to reap in our professional and social life.
Further, it appears that students are unhappy with the Institution’s inaction to gender insensitivity within the campus. The women students point to a dysfunctional or nonexistent Internal complaints committee.
While we are confident that the Institution will continue to maintain its standards, we humbly urge the institution to undo its ties with Mr.Vairamuthu and communicate the same to the stakeholders along withMs.Chinmayi Sripada, who has been painedby our actions. Furthermore, we implore the Institution to maintain a cordial relationship with the students and attend to their grievances. We also urge the Institution to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee as per UGC’s Saksham Report (A copy of which is attached) at the earliest.
We believe that the Institution will pay heed to our appeal and that of the students. we also await necessary steps towards healing the hurtfelt survivors and allies. Such actions would be a progressive leap towards reconciliation with the disgruntled alumni and students of the college.
Sincerely forever MSSWians