Amit's experience at IIT Delhi highlights the pervasive issue of caste discrimination in elite academic environments. Despite the prestige of the IITs and their rigorous admission processes, students from reserved categories often face stigma from peers, leading to feelings of isolation and exclusion. A 2019-20 study noted that 75% of disadvantaged caste students reported experiencing discrimination, while 59% of students from higher castes were indifferent or agreed with caste-based comments. This underscores the need for greater awareness and policies addressing casteism in educational spaces.
The upper caste classmates had their own cliques, and I felt excluded and isolated. People made passing comments on how there were more deserving candidates, and I only got admission due to my caste.
In my first year, I lost a lot of weight and constantly felt like I did not belong there. I decided to stick it out, but it hasn't been easy.
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