Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of India’s leading IT services company Infosys, is one of the 18 individuals who have been booked under the SC/ST (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe) Atrocities Act by the Kerala police. The bookings were made on charges of discriminating against an SC student and not giving due opportunities for placements in his startup.
According to the report, the 18 individuals, including Gopalakrishnan, were founders or employees of different startups who participated in the Hackathon conducted by the Government of Kerala’s Entrepreneurship Development Program. A few months after the Hackathon, a final placement offer was announced, and 11 startups that were winners at the Hackathon were expected to participate. However, several candidates, including a student from the Scheduled Caste community, did not receive job offers from any of these startups.
The complainant, the SC student, alleged that they were intentionally denied opportunities despite having presented excellent solutions during the Hackathon. An FIR (First Information Report) was lodged on May 30, and police have arrested three people so far. Gopalakrishnan has denied the allegations and claims that his role was only to participate as a jury member.
The development has sparked outrage, with several members of the political party Indian National Congress criticizing Gopalakrishnan for “trying to dilute” the gravity of the allegations by questioning the validity of the FIR.
The Kerala Government has clarified that Gopalakrishnan, as well as other individuals who were booked under the SC/ST Act, are being considered as suspects until proven guilty and will undergo necessary investigations.
Meanwhile, social activists have urged for strict action to be taken against those responsible and called for creating a society free from discrimination against the Scheduled Caste community.