Denied entry inside HCU, Rohith Vemula's mother sits on dharna

Hyderabad: The mother of deceased Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula on Wednesday went on a sit-in protest in front of the main entrance of Hyderabad Central University after she was denied entry inside the campus to meet students who were injured in a police lathicharge yesterday.

Radhika Vemula wanted to hold a demonstration inside, but was prevented from entering the HCU campus, HCU Chief Security Officer TV Rao told PTI.

"She wanted to hold a dharna inside the campus. We stopped her from entering. She and around 20 students then sat on a dharna in front of the HCU gate," Rao said.

Raja Vemula, the younger brother of Rohit, said his mother wanted to meet the students who were injured yesterday in a police lathicharge.

"They did not allow her to enter the HCU campus, hence she sat on a dharna," Raja said.

The protesting students raised slogans against HCU Vice- Chancellor Appa Rao Podile, demanding his immediate removal from the post. They also sought the release of students and faculty members arrested in connection with yesterday's vandalism of the VC's lodge and stone-pelting.