Alleging that Union ministers Bandaru Dattatreya and Smrithi Irani were solely responsible for the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohit Vemula of Hyderabad Central University, the Congress and CPI parties have demanded that the government order a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances that prompted Rohit to take to extreme step. The parties also demanded that the government immediately sack the two Union Ministers from the cabinet.
The TPCC Chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy, APCC Chief N Raghuveera Reddy, former ministers Ponnala Laxmaiah, Dr J Geetha Reddy, C Ramachandraiah, Sailajanath and others visited the ‘Agitation Camp’ of Hyderabad Central University students on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, the leaders of both the parties organized a rally at HCU demanding that the government initiate action against those prompted Rohit to commit suicide. They also paid tributes at Rohit’s portrait and consoled the fasting students. CPI national secretary Dr K Narayana faulted the two Telugu Chief Ministers for not consoling Rohit’s family. TPCC Chief said his party would lodge a complaint with President Pranab Mukherjee on the issue.
The CPI also announced Rs 1 lakh assistance to Rohit’s family. The Congress party too assured that it would extend financial assistance to the bereaved family and demand that the Union government offer a job to Rohit’s family member. Alleging that the Centre’s attitude poses danger to the education sector, the leaders assured the fasting students of their total support. Meanwhile, the University teachers also announced to donate a day’s salary to Rohit’s family. (NSS)