Tamil Nadu to release pending scholarship funds for Malaysia PhD student

Bharathidasan, a PhD student from Madurai studying at the National University of Malaysia under the Dr. Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship Scheme, posted an emotional video on social media on September 17, 2026, expressing distress over non-receipt of his second-year educational funding. He stated that without the funds, he faced expulsion from the university and compared his situation to the case of Rohith Vemula, a student whose death in 2016 became a focal point in debates over scholarship delays and institutional support.

The video triggered widespread political response. MK Stalin, former Chief Minister and DMK leader, posted on social media that Bharathidasan was not asking for a favour but asserting a right guaranteed by the government. He called on the ruling AIADMK to either provide the funds or make a public statement if unable to do so, offering to raise funds through DMK and public support. P. Samugam, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), stated he had spoken four times with Social Justice Minister Vanniraj about the case and that partial funds had already been released, while calling for immediate release of remaining amounts.

Social Justice Minister Vanniraj responded on September 18, 2026, stating that the government would support Bharathidasan's studies and that this year's scholarship had been sent while remaining funds would follow within days. Neelam Cultural Center also issued a statement emphasizing that such delays should not occur and called for systemic reforms to prevent similar situations for other students under the scheme. The incident highlighted procedural gaps in the scholarship disbursement system despite the student having submitted all required documentation.