HYDERABAD: Former UGC member and Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav and his associates, on Friday, faced the same fate as three CPM parliamentarians from Kerala who were barred entry into the varsity to partake in a public meeting by JAC for social justice.
Yadav, who apparently spoke to the university officials over phone, standing outside the main gate, was denied permission despite his academic profile.
Addressing students from outside the gate, Yadav reiterated that students of UoH have support and solidarity from universities across the country.
Stating that he did not know the vice-chancellor Appa Rao personally so as to make any judgments, he said it was very much visible that the VC does not enjoy the trust of students from most vulnerable sections. Reminding all that UoH is a public university, he said that the campus cannot be treated like a military camp. Yadav alleged Appa Rao has lost moral authority to continue as vice-chancellor.
Afterwards, students union and the JAC for social justice held a public meeting which saw the participation of UoH registrar M Sudhakar, who was accompanied by University of Hyderabad Teachers Association members K Laxminarayana and Venkata Ramana. The agitating students and the officials heard each others points of view. While students demanded unconditional quashing of charges against students and relaxation of entry restrictions on campus, the registrar informed that the situation has been volatile. The meeting ended with registrar promising to take the concerns of the students to the officials concerned.
Earlier in the day, the agitating students representing JAC for Social Justice to Rohith Vemula and members of SC/ST teachers Forum staged a protest demonstration outside the administration block of the varsity demanding resignation of vice-chancellor Appa Rao.
They staged a sit-in blocking entry to the admin block raising slogans demanding relaxation of the restrictions imposed on the campus. While the VC operates from his camp office and does not come to the administration block anymore, students JAC intended to intensify protests by disrupting the day-to-day functioning of the administration.
Registrar M Sudhakar told agitating students to talk to the committee formed by the vice-chancellor.
The campus has been shut for outsiders after the JAC’s protest outside VC’s camp office turned violent on March 22.