Tension continues at HCU campus

Tension continues to prevail on the Hyderabad Central University campus for the second day today following suicide of a research scholar, Rohit Vemula. Protests by student unions and several political parties continued seeking stern action against the University authorities and Union HRD Minister and Labour Minister. The Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya has been alleged for writing a letter to the HRD minister Smrithi Irani seeking action against the students in connection with the attack on a ABVP leader. Agitators laid seize this morning on the University administration building and also on the Union Labour minister’s residence seeking the centre to take action against the two ministers.

The deceased student, Rohit Vemula, was among the five research scholars who were suspended by the University authorities in August last year and also one of



the accused in the case of assault on a student leader. They were also kept out of the hostel. Following complaints by student leaders, local police filed a FIR under various sections including 306 of the IPC against Mr Dattatreya, University V.C. Appa Rao and two others. Mr Dattatreya said he or his party is no way connected with the suicide.

National Commission for Scheduled Casts Chairman, Dr Punia who visited the university to talk to students said the matter will be enquired and submit its recommendations to the government. Meanwhile, Congress vice-president will be visiting the University of Hyderabad to meet the students after a scholar allegedly committed suicide sparked protests from many quarters. Party Telangana leaders announced that Mr Gandhi along with party General Secretary Digvijay Singh will meet the students of the university.