Rohith Vemula's mother is like mother of Bhagat Singh: Kanhaiya Kumar

Kanhaiya Kumar is scheduled to with the students of Hyderabad Central University (HCU).

Hyderabad: JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar is in the Telangana capital to meet his 'icon' Rohith Vemula's mother and interact with the students of Hyderabad Central University (HCU).

Speaking to reporters, Kumar said that he and two others – including one professor – from JNU are in Hyderabad because the issues raised in JNU were related to the tragic death of Rohith Vemula.

On meeting Rohith Vemula's mother, Kumar said, “We will meet Rohit's mother, she is like the mother of Bhagat Singh.”

Kanhaiya said that they have met members of the Joint Action Committee for Social Justice of HCU and will attend a public meeting being organised inside the campus later today “if police permits”.

However, in view of the violent protests carried out by students inside the campus yesterday, the university today suspended classes till Monday and sought police protection to prevent entry of “outsiders” inside the campus.

A group of students had ransacked the official residence of HCU Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao Podile, protesting against his resumption of duty, two months after he went on long leave following Vemula's suicide.

Kumar added that the JAC will continue with its struggle until the Centre brings out 'Rohith Act'.

"We have experience with JAC for various struggles and we will take this fight forward...this struggle will continue until 'Rohith Act' is implemented...to fulfil his (Rohith) dreams of social justice on the campus," he said.

Notably, the mother and brother of Dalit research scholar Rohith, who had allegedly committed suicide in a hostel room on the campus on January 17, had last month met political leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Sitaram Yechury and KC Tyagi, seeking their support for enactment of a 'Rohith Act' against caste discrimination in educational institutions.