Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan addressing the media in New Delhi on Thursday, January 21, 2016. (Press Trust of India photo)
New Delhi:
NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) today sought an "independent probe by CBI or some other agency" into the incident of suicide by a Dalit student in Hyderabad University but was dismissive of opposition demand for resignation of Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya over it.
The Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP stuck to its demand for an independent probe even as the two-member team set up by the HRD Ministry to look into the matter returned last evening after visiting the campus and is expected to submit its report soon.
Despite a volley of questions on the issue, Ram Vilas Paswan, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, who addressed a press conference at his residence, chose to restrict himself only to issues concerning his ministry.
The Union Minister, however, parried questions on the issue leaving his younger brother Ramchandra Paswan and son Chirag Paswan (both Lok Sabha members) to speak on it.
Party lawmaker Ramchandra Paswan, who led an LJP delegation to Hyderabad and met students protesting against the incident, told reporters in New Delhi that he had submitted the report to LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan last night.
"We condemn the incident. There is anger among students, which is natural. Strong action should be taken against whoever is responsible for Rohith Vemula's suicide," Mr Ramchandra Paswan said on the sidelines of the press meet.
LJP Parliamentary Board chairman Chirag Paswan sought a thorough probe into the issue by "an independent investigating agency like CBI or any other body."
"There is a need to find out what led to Rohith to take this extreme step. The probe should be carried out by some independent investigating agency -- be it CBI or some other. I am not saying that only CBI should probe it.
"An independent probe should be carried out and then whoever is found responsible must be punished," he said.
Asserting that a "strong message" should be sent on the issue, the LJP leader that all the facts must come out.
Mr Chirag Paswan was, however, dismissive of the demand of Congress that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to the Dalit community and the entire country for his ministers, including Ms Irani, allegedly misleading the nation on the issue.
"As far as your question about the apology demand from the Prime Minister is concerned, I do not think any such situation has arisen that anybody has to give apology," he said.
Asked whether CBI should also probe whether there was any lapse on the part of Union HRD Ministry over the issue, Mr Chirag Paswan said that he was no one to give suggestions like this as any independent investigating agency, including CBI, which will apply its own mind when it investigates the issue.
"I am no one to give direction about who should be covered under the probe. Let investigations happen. Then anybody, whoever is responsible must not be spared," he said.
The Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP stuck to its demand for an independent probe even as the two-member team set up by the HRD Ministry to look into the matter returned last evening after visiting the campus and is expected to submit its report soon.
Despite a volley of questions on the issue, Ram Vilas Paswan, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, who addressed a press conference at his residence, chose to restrict himself only to issues concerning his ministry.
The Union Minister, however, parried questions on the issue leaving his younger brother Ramchandra Paswan and son Chirag Paswan (both Lok Sabha members) to speak on it.
Party lawmaker Ramchandra Paswan, who led an LJP delegation to Hyderabad and met students protesting against the incident, told reporters in New Delhi that he had submitted the report to LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan last night.
"We condemn the incident. There is anger among students, which is natural. Strong action should be taken against whoever is responsible for Rohith Vemula's suicide," Mr Ramchandra Paswan said on the sidelines of the press meet.
LJP Parliamentary Board chairman Chirag Paswan sought a thorough probe into the issue by "an independent investigating agency like CBI or any other body."
"There is a need to find out what led to Rohith to take this extreme step. The probe should be carried out by some independent investigating agency -- be it CBI or some other. I am not saying that only CBI should probe it.
"An independent probe should be carried out and then whoever is found responsible must be punished," he said.
Asserting that a "strong message" should be sent on the issue, the LJP leader that all the facts must come out.
Mr Chirag Paswan was, however, dismissive of the demand of Congress that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to the Dalit community and the entire country for his ministers, including Ms Irani, allegedly misleading the nation on the issue.
"As far as your question about the apology demand from the Prime Minister is concerned, I do not think any such situation has arisen that anybody has to give apology," he said.
Asked whether CBI should also probe whether there was any lapse on the part of Union HRD Ministry over the issue, Mr Chirag Paswan said that he was no one to give suggestions like this as any independent investigating agency, including CBI, which will apply its own mind when it investigates the issue.
"I am no one to give direction about who should be covered under the probe. Let investigations happen. Then anybody, whoever is responsible must not be spared," he said.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
