Basing the report of its fact finding team, the HRD ministry has decided to set up a judicial commission to look into the sequence of events that lead to HCU student Vemula Rohith’s suicide and submit its report within 3 months.
On the other side, officials at the Centre, are getting cornered more in the case, after the Telangana government sent the report stating that Rohith was a Dalit and the case comes under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
The report of Telangana government shared the details of the complaint and the FIR where it is alleged that “Rohith underwent mental agony and could not bear the atrocities, humiliation, harrassment, insults and injustice” which he was subject to at the “instigation and abetment” of those named in the FIR, that caused his death. The ministries are studying the report and the social justice ministry, that is the nodal ministry on issues relating to SC/STs, has taken serious note.
The report further enclosed the letter written by minister Bandaru Dattatreya to HRD minister Smriti Irani on August 17, where he alleged the “university administration had become a mute spectator” to events where the university had become a “den of casteist, extremist and anti-national politics” when a large section of students held a protest against the execution of Yakub Memon and clashed with the ABVP over the same.
Several allege that, the five students suspension followed the minister’s letter and the clash with the ABVP leader led Rohith fall in depression and eventual suicide.
Reportedly, the first FIR was registered on January 17th, under Section 174 CrPC mandating the police to enquire into the suicide, a second FIR was registered on January 18 for abetment to suicide and invoking Section 3 of SC/ST POA Act dealing with offences of atrocities against SC/STs.
The fact finding team found a lack of ‘sensitivity’, shown in some areas by HCU authorities in dealing with the events that led to suicide. The report clearly specifies that Rohit was a Dalit, slashing the rumors over Rohit being a non-dalit student.
HCU: Smriti Irani calls Rohith’s mother, promises probe
Assuring Rohith’s family, HRD minister Smriti Irani called his mother Radhika yesterday and promised a judicial probe, by conducting an inquiry committee, headed by a High Court judge. If V-C Appa Rao Podile was found guilty, he would be suspended, the minister told Rohith’s mother. The minister further said that, she hesitated to call her so far as the family was in a state of deep mourning.
HCU: I feel pain of mother- PM Modi
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally responded towards Rohit’s issue. Addressing the convocation at the BR Ambedkar University, Mr Modi said, “India has lost a son and I can imagine what his family must be going through. I feel for his mother, and know what she must be feeling having lost her son.”
I was concerned for students - BJP MLC about HCU students
BJP MLC N Ramachander Rao, who is also being cornered by HCU students says, he was making serious efforts to get the punishment order against the five students lifted, but the suicide of Rohith happened in between.
He added that, discipline was important, but no one wanted the career of the students to be affected and was to meet varsity officials on January 18 for this purpose.
On the other side, the suspension that was revoked by the HCU, on the four students was not accepted by them and continued to protest, boycotting the classes, demanding the resignation of V-C Appa Rao Podile.
Keep visiting Andhrawishesh.com for the regular updates of HCU student suicide.
By Phani Ch
