Udupi: The Students Islamic Organisation of district Unit staged a protest on January 19 at the Clock Tower, over the suicide by a Dalit research scholar and demanded the resignation and arrest of union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and the vice chancellor of the University of Hyderabad.
Addressing the protesters SIO Leader Suresh said that Rohit Vemula was one of the five Dalit students suspended and expelled from the hostel and was staging a protest on the campus for the past 15 days. Rohith Vemula was found hanging from the ceiling of a room in the New Research Scholars’ Hostel of the University of Hyderabad late on Sunday.
He further said that Dalits have faced persecution after the Narendra Modi government came to power at the Centre. Minister of State Bandaru Dattatreya pressurised the Vice-Chancellor to suspend the Dalit student from the hostel.
He demanded the immediate resignation and arrest of union minister Bandaru Dattatreya for driving a Dalit student to suicide in Hyderabad. He also demanded that the Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani’s role in the matter should also be investigated.
Jayan Malpe convener of Dalit Sangarsha Samiti alleged that the university Vice Chancellor Appa Rao was responsible for the suicide of the student, and demanded for his suspension.
Prof Phaniraj speaking on the occasion said that Rohith aspirated to become a scientist-cum-writer like Carl Segan, Rohith felt helpless when his 15-day-long protest was neglected by the authorities of the University. His death is a wake-up call to the entire nation, Students of educational institutions, even at this minute are being victimised for being born in a Dalit family.
He further alleged that a “social boycott” was imposed on the students, including the dalit research scholar who allegedly committed suicide.
Yaseen Kodibengre, Idrees Hode, Ansar and others were present.
