Rohith Vemula's suicide: HCU students' union passes resolution seeking VC's removal

Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad Students' Union has passed a resolution demanding resignation or removal of Vice-Chancellor Prof Appa Rao Podile from the post.

The University General Body Meeting (UGBM), held yesterday and attended by 949 students, passed six resolutions. It included a condolence resolution for Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, which was passed unanimously.

Vemula had allegedly committed suicide in a hostel room of the varsity in January.

UGBM is the highest decision-making body of the students of the university, claimed a release from varsity students.

The university's students union president, Zuhail K P, addressed the students explaining the recent developments on the campus after the death of Vemula. Opinions were sought from all the students present in the UGBM, it said.

A resolution demanding the resignation/removal of Prof Appa Rao Podile from the post of VC was passed by voting, in which 948 students voted in favour of the resolution demanding his resignation/removal and one student objected to it, the release said.

The University of Hyderabad, popularly known as HCU, has witnessed sporadic protests over the suicide of the Dalit research scholar, with students demanding removal of Appa Rao from the VC's post.

Appa Rao was earlier booked under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and for abetment of Vemula's suicide.

The students' union had on March 30 sought President Pranab Mukherjee's intervention to resolve issues related to the varsity and to ensure sacking of Appa Rao.

Meanwhile, the other resolutions passed unanimously by the UGBM yesterday include revoking blockade of the university , against militarisation of the campus, and for setting up a 'committee against prejudice and discrimination' in higher educational institutions.

Another resolution demanded dropping of all police cases against the students and teachers of HCU and it was also passed unanimously.

The Hyderabad High Court had yesterday directed the registrar of the HCU and the Cyberabad police commissioner not to allow any political party or association to hold a meeting on the varsity campus.

HCU has been at the centre of controversy since the suicide of Vemula on January 17, and recently after the resumption of duty by Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile.