Chalo HCU: Several students taken into preventive custody

Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad (UoH) continued to simmer with protests and clamour for removal of the Vice Chancellor. Tension prevailed inside and outside the campus on Wednesday as large number of students belonging to various student organisations staged protest at the main gate and also at Vice Chancellor’s lodge where the academic council meeting was held on Wednesday.
The students demanded VC Prof Appa Rao Podile’s resignation and his arrest. They tried to barge into the university from the main entrance. Even some students climbed the main gate in order to venture into the university. However, their efforts were foiled by the university security and police. Protesting students raised slogans against the VC and held banners asking the VC to leave the office and university immediately.
Several students have been taken into preventive custody by the police at the main gate. While some students gathered at the UoH in connection to the ‘Chalo UoH’ call given by the Joint Action Committee for Social Justice, about 50 students tried to barge into the Telangana Chief Minister’s camp office at Begumpet demanding removal of VC.
Amid protest by the students, the university administration conducted its 76th Academic Council (AC) meeting. Much to the surprise of the members in the meeting, Controller of the Examination, Prof V Krishna expressed his dissent over VC holding the Academic Council meeting. He expressed his solidarity with protesting students.
Speaking to The Hans India Prof V Krishna lamented that Appa Rao has been taking unilateral decisions. “He will go on leave and comes back whenever he wants. Ever since his come back the university students are protesting,” he said.
He further said he had resigned from the post in January and wanted VC to accept his resignation. According to the sources, nearly 15 faculty members belonging to SC, ST Faculty forum would follow the footsteps of Prof V Krishna. Meanwhile, the 76th Academic Council meeting commenced with members observing a minute silence and offering condolence on the sad demise of Prof A V Raja, Professor of Economics and Rohith Vemula, PhD Scholar.
A senior faculty member said the VC had removed several representations made by the elected student union and student organisations. However, the same representations were included in the agenda when acting VC Periasamy was in the office. The demands like justice for Rohith Vemula, employment for one of family member in the Rohith’s family and introduction of Rohith’s memorial lecture were some of them.
“After VC took the office he has changed the agenda of the academic council meeting unilaterally,” a senior faculty member said.
The meeting which was attended by 106 faculty members of 170 discussed about academic related issues. The members decided to appoint an ombudsman and activate the Equal Opportunities Cell. Appointment of anti-discrimination officer in line with relevant UGC Regulations of 2012 was also discussed in detail and the AC decided to put in place a mechanism to redress relevant issues at the earliest.