Rohith’s mother relents, accepts compensation

Hyderabad: Rohith Vemula’s mother accepted the compensation of Rs 8 lakh from the University of Hyderabad after about two years of his demise, on Monday. Rohith Vemula, a 26-year-old research scholar of University of Hyderabad committed suicide on January 17, 2016, after the University administration had expelled five research scholars including him from their hostels.

Alleging the University’s act as ‘institutional discrimination’ nationwide protests has erupted after his death. The academic and administrative programmes were put to standstill and panic prevailed for more than a month. The normalcy restored only when the Vice Chancellor Podile Appa Rao went on indefinite leave. Rohith Vemula’s family initially rejected the compensation stating they don’t want money from the Appa Rao, who was the prime accused in the Schedule Castes/Schedule Tribes atrocity case that they have filed.

In a press statement, Radhika Vemula, Rohith’s mother, said, “As per the advice of all the forefront legal and social supporters, I have learned that this money is being paid not at the behest of Appa Rao but as per the orders of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).” She added the NCSC declared Rohith was a Dalit and it also found Roopanwal Commission’s report as ‘fake and fictitious’.

She expressed apprehension that the University administration would float rumors stating Rohith family had a secret deal with the University by taking money. “It was in no way a compromise with the University management. I will not rest until Appa Rao Podile and his masters in the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) are punished for their crimes,” she noted.

Responding on the latest development, ASA HCU (Ambedkar Students Association) President Sannaki Munna said, “Whatever the amount they give, it will not bring back our beloved friend Rohith, but his family needed it to fight against the people, who institutionally murdered Rohith.”