Rohith Vemula's death: Fresh protests rock Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Fresh protests erupted on the campus of University of Hyderabad on Tuesday over the alleged suicide by a Dalit scholar, Rohith Vemula. Also, members of Telangana Jagruti Yuva Morcha held a demonstration outside the residence of Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, who has been accused in the suicide case.

The body of the Dalit research scholar was found hanging in the varsity's hostel room, which sparked massive protests. Dattatreya and Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor were yesterday named in an FIR over the alleged suicide of the Dalit student.

Students gathered in the administrative block of the university and shouted slogans, seeking 'justice' for the Dalit student. Police said the situation was peaceful. "Just a small group of students gathered and shouted slogans. Situation is peaceful here," Gachibowli police inspector J Ramesh Kumar said.

Some activists belonging to Telangana Jagruthi, a social and cultural outfit led by TRS MP K Kavitha, tried to hold a protest outside the residence of Dattatreya here this morning, demanding his resignation. However, police prevented their bid and took them into custody, a police official said.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, visited the university on Tuesday. According to Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee working president Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Gandhi will spend some time interacting with students over the issue.

"He will come here in a special flight at around noon. He will directly go the university and interact with students on the issue of suicide," Bhatti said. The university campus yesterday witnessed widespread protests after dalit student Rohith Vemula's body was found hanging in a hostel room on Sunday.

The issue took a political turn with allegations that the extreme action was a result of discrimination against Dalit students at the behest of Dattatreya, who had written a letter to HRD Minister Smriti Irani, seeking action against their "anti-national acts".

The deceased student, Rohit Vemula, was among the five research scholars who were suspended by Hyderabad Central University (HCU) 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.

Speaking to reporters on the University campus, Congress MP V Hanumantha Rao alleged that university Vice Chancellor Appa Rao was responsible for the suicide of the student, and demanded his suspension.

He further alleged that a "social boycott" was imposed on the students (who were suspended earlier), including the Dalit research scholar who allegedly committed suicide. Congress leaders D Sridhar Babu, G Vinod and others visited the university campus today and spoke to the students.

Meanwhile, a group of students were trying to install a memorial for the deceased student, Rohit, on the campus.