Protests erupt over Dalit research scholar's suicide

The suicide of Dalit research scholar of Hyderabad Central University, Rohith Vemula, sparked protests in the City on Tuesday with at least three organisations staging separate demonstrations

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Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar Students’ Union held a protest on the Bengaluru University campus, the AIDSO organised a rally at the Mysore Bank Circle and Dalit associations led by Students Federation of India (SFI) staged a rally at the Town Hall.

Addressing reporters, AIDSO president V N Rajashekhar said the Central government was responsible for the death of Vemula. “This is a typical example of the most dastardly acts being witnessed throughout the country. The Sangh Parivar and the BJP are directly responsible for the death. Vemula’s death is the death of democracy,” he said.

The rise of the ugly, communal, fascist forces should be curbed, he said, and called for a sustained students’ movement, besides demanding immediate compensation to Rohith’s family along with the pending stipend amount.

Dr B R Ambedkar Students’ Union members demanded banishment of all the associations and persons responsible for Vemula’s death. They sought action against those who forced him to take the extreme step. Vemula’s death indicates the vindictive attitude of the university and the Central government. The university’s autonomy and the democratic rights of the students have been murdered,” said SFI State president V Ambarish.

The protesters demanded that the governments create a democratic atmosphere and secular academic environs on the Hyderabad University campus. They also demanded the immediate resignation of Union Minister for Labour Bandaru Dattatreya and stern action against the varsity vice chancellor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyathir Parishat leaders who allegedly harassed Vemula leading to his suicide.