HYDERABAD: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi arrived at the University of Hyderabad here late Friday night, to express solidarity with the agitating students of the university by participating in a mass hunger strike on Saturday to mark the birthday of the deceased Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula.
He met Radhika, mother of Rohith and spoke with the protesting students. When he was interacting with students, some of the students raised slogans against Union HRD minister Smriti Irani. Rahul Gandhi stopped the students from shouting the slogans, and said “Let’s not say murdabad to anyone. It does not do justice to the movement.’’
Uoh Interim VC Goes on Leave
Hyderabad: As the seniormost professor Dr Vipin Srivastava proceeded on leave with effect from January 29, the next seniormost Professor Dr M Peraisamy, shall perform the duties of the vice-chancellor of the University of Hyderabad till further orders in terms of the statue 1A (7)of the university, according to a university press release on Friday.
Around 50 ABVP tried to obstruct Rahul’s convoy at the varsity gates, while he was entering the campus. The ABVP members were lathicharged and taken away.
Earlier, about 2,000 students organised a candle light march on the campus with Rohith’s mother leading the march to mark his birth anniversary. The protest is set to intensify with three of the earlier expelled students, C Seshaiah, Vijay Kumar and Sunkanna, launching a fast-unto-death on the mid-night of Friday, till their demands are met. It will be the Rahul’s second visit to the city since the death of Rohith Vemula.
ABVP calls for College Bandh
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) gave a call for college bandh on Saturday to protest against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi joining the mass hunger strike planned by the students of University of Hyderabad on Saturday. The student body demanded Rahul to stop playing politics with Rohith’s suicide.