The move to send the VC on leave, sources said, is unlikely to douse the fires and take the steam out of the “Chalo university” protest march called by the agitating students to press for the sacking of the VC who has been named in the FIR on charges of abetment of suicide. “There is no pressure from anybody”. Asked whether he would take charge once normality returns, he replied in the affirmative, according to PTI.
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Amid strong protests for a about a week who, students had demanding the vice-chancellor’s replacement and action against Union ministers Bandaru Dattatreya and Smriti Irani, who are believed to have written letters to pressurise the varsity authorities to act against the students to act. On Thursday, the University had “terminated the punishment” on Rohith’s four friends.
In the light of his “deep involvement” in both suicide cases, he may be asked to immediately step down from the Vice-Chancellor’s office, the release said.
A day after police shifted seven students who were on an indefinite hunger strike to hospital, another batch of seven students went on fast.
Meanwhile, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, visited the university on Sunday and expressed solidarity with the students. “This is not only in the interest of this university, but in the interest of entire Dalit community and also in the interest of the country”, he said.
Appa Rao was at the centre of political storm which erupted following the suicide of Dalit PhD student Rohith Vemula.
Hyderabad University, where Rohith Vemula committed suicide on January 17 had announced Rs. 8 lakh as ex-gratia assistance to the bereaved family.
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Although the preliminary findings of the University had rejected the complaints made by ABVP activist N Susheel Kumar, the University chose to suspend the 5 accused Dalit students allegedly under pressure of Ministry of HRD. Party leader Kapil Sibal today said if Prime Minister Narendra Modi “was sensitive”, he would have dismissed a number of persons.
