YSR Congress chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy addressing the students staging hunger strike over Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula's death, at Hyderabad University in Hyderabad on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. (Press Trust of India photo)
YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy today demanded initiating action against the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) Vice Chancellor Appa Rao P and others in connection with the suicide of a Dalit research scholar and also urged the authorities to revoke the suspension of the remaining four students.
"The suicide of a brilliant student due to discrimination and the uncalled for interference of Union Ministers is disheartening and action should be taken against all those responsible for the events that led to the death of the Dalit student Rohith Vemula," Mr Reddy, Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh Assembly, said after visiting the HCU campus.
He said YSR Congress will take up this issue in the Parliament and "question the ministers concerned for their uncalled for intervention which turned the situation from bad to worse" and asserted "We firmly believe that the interference of union ministers is unwarranted."
The Vice Chancellor instead of quickly putting the issue to an end had allowed things to precipitate towards more trouble which culminated in political leaders coming into picture and mounting pressure to take action against the Dalit students which in turn resulted in the suicide of Rohith, he alleged.
"We demand that the suspension of the remaining four students be revoked forthwith and action should be taken against the Vice Chancellor and all others who were responsible for the discrimination of Dalits," Mr Reddy demanded.
Earlier, the YSR Congress president visited the residence of Rohith and consoled his mother and conveyed his condolences.