Fresh protests at Hyderabad University; students seek ‘unconditional’ revocation of suspension

Another central minister, Bandaru Dattatreya, insisted he did not influence the university to suspend Rohith Vemula – who killed himself – and four other students.

YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy also met the students and demanded action against the guilty.

But the protesting students were not satisfied with the revocation of the suspension and burnt copies of the EC decision. “When such bright students have to commit suicide, I think it is a shame on the entire nation and society”, he said.

The release said that the Ministry had also decided on a course of action in order to address the issues faced by students from disadvantaged social, economic and educational backgrounds in higher educational institutions comprehensively and to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future.

Rohith Vemula, a PhD scholar at Hyderabad Central University (HCU), committed suicide that led to massive unrest on the campus.

Mr Surjewala said the party had hoped the prime minister would announce “sacking” of Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani and Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and also action against the university vice-chancellor. After a preliminary inquiry exonerated Vemula Rohit and his friends were suspended in December and barred their access to the hostel, library and cafeteria, though they were allowed to attend classes.

Vemula was one of five students, all Dalits, who were suspended by the university after they were accused of assaulting the head of a right-wing student political group – a charge they denied.

Reports on Thursday quoted Dalit professors as saying that Union HRD Minister’s statement on the suicide of the young research scholar “misrepresented facts”.

In solidarity with the students, the Controller of Examinations, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Warden were and 10 other faculty members belonging to SC-ST communities had given up their administrative posts, which they were holding as an additional responsibility.

Sontha Prasanth, Pepapudi Vijay Kumar, Sheshaiah Chemudugunta and Velpula Sunkanna were not allowed to use college amenities. VC should go to the site of protest. On its part, the University sought to reach out to the agitating students when it announced an ex-gratia of Rs eight lakh to the grieving family of Rohith.

“The unanimous decision is that we are all teachers here”.