Hyderabad : Twenty CPI activists, including party national executive member K Narayana, were today taken into preventive custody for trying to take out a ‘Chalo Raj Bhavan’ march here allegedly without permission demanding resignation of HCU Vice Chancellor, police said. The proposed ‘Chalo Raj Bhavan’ march did not have permission and they (activists) were taken into preventive custody at Khairatabad railway station near Raj Bhavan, Saifabad SHO K Poorna Chander said.
The Hyderabad Central University (HCU) has been witnessing sporadic protests after Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula allegedly committed suicide on the campus on January 17. In a bid to intensify their ongoing agitation demanding removal and arrest of Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile, who resumed office on March 22, the varsity’s Joint Action Committee for Social Justice has given a call for a protest march – ‘Chalo HCU’ – on April 6.
On March 22, the students, upon learning that Rao was back from leave, marched to his residence and protested against his resumption of office, arguing that as VC he may tamper with evidence and influence witnesses. The varsity’s students’ union has already sought President Pranab Mukherjee’s immediate intervention to resolve issues related to the varsity and ensure the sacking of the VC.