PM Modi's Remarks On Rohith Vemula 'Insulting', Say Hyderabad Students

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks over the suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula were "insulting", protesting students of Hyderabad Central University said today, vowing to step up their stir.

The Prime Minister's "inaction" reflected his "political interests", the students said voicing dissatisfaction over the comments in Lucknow where he had expressed anguish and said he could "understand the pain" of the family.

"I can't imagine what his family members is going through. A mother has lost her 'laal' (son). Politics aside, the fact is that we lost a son. I can understand the pain," PM Modi, visibly emotional, had said at the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow.

The Joint Action Council (JAC) spearheading the stir also asked if the Prime Minister would now take action against his ministers. The Centre has appointed a judicial commission to probe the circumstances that led to his suicide.

Students and the Opposition allege that Rohith, who hung himself on January 17 was subjected to caste discrimination and letters from union ministers Bandaru Dattatreya and Smriti Irani compelled the university to punish the five students.

Advertisement

"It is highly insulting to have received a condolence statement from Prime Minister Narenda Modi. He has referred to Rohith Vemula as Bharat Mata's son. Joint Action Committee for Social Justice condemns in the strongest possible words, the appropriation of Rohith's politics," the JAC said in a statement.

The hunger strike by seven students entered the fourth day today while their colleagues continued other forms of protests.

Advertisement

The students demand the removal of the University Vice Chancellor, punishing those responsible for Rohith's death, dropping the alleged false cases against students and unconditional revocation of their suspension, giving employment to a member of Rohith's family and compensation of Rs 50 lakh to his kin.