Hyderabad university to do away with Rohith Vemula memorial?

Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula had committed suicide in January after alleging caste discrimination.

Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad authorities have taken a decision to demolish a memorial for Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, who committed suicide in January after alleging caste discrimination.

The decision to demolish “unauthorised things at accumulated at the shopping complex” inside the campus was taken at a meeting of deans, which was presided by vice-chancellor P Appa Rao, reports the Hindustan Times.

Students are unhappy with the decision.

“If they do this, we have to react seriously,” the daily quoted Prabhakar, a leader of Ambedkar Students Association (ASA), as saying.

Notably, some students treat a cement structure and a tent with Vemula's photographs and written tributes to him in the middle of the campus as a memorial for the Dalit research scholar.

The memorial tent for Vemula is called as "Veli Wada". It is the place where Vemula spent his last few days after he was barred from using his hostel as a penalty for allegedly assaulting members of ABVP, a rival student group.

On Wednesday, Students' Union of University of Hyderabad (UoHSU) sought President Pranab Mukherjee's immediate intervention to resolve issues related to the varsity, that is in limelight post-suicide by Vemula, and ensure sacking of vice-chancellor Appa Rao Podile.

On March 22, the students, upon learning that Rao was back from two-month leave, marched to his residence and protested against his resumption of office, arguing as VC he may tamper with evidence and influence witnesses.

More than 20 students were arrested in this regard.