Rahul Gandhi's candlelight march at Hyderabad University: As it happened

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday night reached Hyderabad Central University (HCU) to participate in a candlelight protest march by the students over Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula's suicide issue. He will sit on hunger strike on Saturday. Here are the latest updates:-

30 January 2016

07:38 IST

We four (who were suspended) are sitting on indefinite hunger strike, will continue our fight till we get justice: Protester at Hyderabad University

07:28 IST

Amid continuing protests, security tightened at Hyderabad University; checks being conducted to avoid any untoward incident

07:08 IST

About 2,000 students had organised the candle light march on Friday night and vowed to participate in hunger strike too in the campus on Vemula's birthday on Saturday.

06:22 IST

According to a student protesting at HCU over Rohith Vemula'suicide, the mass hunger strike is expected to begin around 7 AM; Rahul Gandhi to remain present

06:00 IST

Three of the students including two research scholars who were earlier suspended, sat on fast unto death demanding the fulfilment of their demands such as sacking and arresting of V-C Appa Rao Podile.

05:46 IST

National Students Union of India (NHUI) National president Roji M John said, Rahul Gandhi will sit in the hunger strike from 6 am to 6pm on Saturday.

04:58 IST

A member of joint action committee for social justice (University of Hyderabad) said Rahul Gandhi will be joining the hunger strike movement from 6am on Saturday

04:39 IST

Rahul Gandhi will address the protesting students prior to launch of mass hunger strike on Saturday morning at 6 AM

02:52 IST

Rahul Gandhi will rejoin the protesting students at Hyderabad University Campus at 6 AM on Saturday

02:47 IST

Rohith's Vemula brother has also joined the protest march

02:36 IST

Mass hunger strike by Hyderabad Central University's students demanding justice for Rohith Vemula to begin on Saturday at 6 AM

02:22 IST

Candlelight march organized by protesters in Hyderabad University campus

02:08 IST

Rohith Vemula's mother at the candlelight march in Hyderabad 

02:05 IST

Over 50 activists of ABVP have been detained by the local police; they were protesting Rahul Gandhi's visit

02:02 IST

Amid continuing protests by students of University of Hyderabad over the suicide of a Dalit research scholar, interim Vice Chancellor Vipin Srivastava has gone on leave.

01:37 IST

Rahul Gandhi at the protest site in Hyderabad

01:37 IST

ABVP activists protesting against Rahul Gandhi's visit 

01:34 IST

Protesting Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists have been detained by the police as Rahul Gandhi arrives at the protest site at Hyderabad Central University

01:24 IST

The Congress vice-president had visited the University on January 19 following the suicide by the Dalit scholar and met the agitating students and the family members of Vemula.

01:24 IST

This is Rahul's second visit to Hyderabad since Vemula was found hanging in the varsity's hostel room.

01:24 IST

Confirming the Rahul Gandhi's visit, Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh said that he would participate in the march and also in the sit-in organized by the students on the Hyderabad University campus.

01:21 IST

Rahul Gandhi had left for Hyderabad on Friday evening to participate in a candlelight march by students of the Hyderabad Central University.