Nasheman

India's largest selling Urdu weekly, now also in English

You are here: Home / Archives for Rohith Vemula

Rohith Vemula’s mother, brother embrace Buddhism

by

Radhika Vemula

Mumbai: The family of Dalith research scholar Rohith Vemula, whose suicide at Hyderbad Central University in January created a firestorm of protest, would be converting to Buddhism, Babasaheb Ambedkar’s grandson Prakash Ambedkar said on Wednesday.

Tomorrow is the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar, the Dalit icon and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
Rohith’s mother and brother will be given “deeksha” by Buddhist monks, Prakash Ambedkar, a former MP, said.

Rohith’s mother and brother will be given “deeksha” by Buddhist monks, Prakash Ambedkar, a former MP, said. The ceremony will be held at noon at Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar here, he said.

“We have organised the deeksha ceremony as the family approached us,” he added.
When contacted, Rohith’s younger brother Raja Vemula said “it is true that we are going to embrace Buddhism. We are on the way to Mumbai.”

“I have no ill feeling toward Hindus but my conscience doesn’t allow me to continue in this religion. It is because of the Hindu caste system that my brother was harassed, humiliated and forced to take his own life,” Rohit’s brother Raja told Hindustan Time on Wednesday.

“Millions of Dalits have suffered, just like my brother did, for thousands of years because of the Hindu caste system.”

They will follow in the footsteps of Ambedkar, who led millions of his followers into Buddhism in 1951, months before his death.

“I was born a Hindu but will not die one,” Ambedkar famously said, as he exhorted Dalit communities to choose Buddhism because of what he called its inclusive nature and lack of discriminatory structures.

(PTI)

Teesta Setalvad, CPM MPs denied entry into Hyderabad varsity

by

Teesta Setalvad

Hyderabad: Civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad and two Communist Party of India-Marxist MPs were Thursday not allowed to enter University of Hyderabad, evoking protest from students.

The university security personnel stopped Teesta and MPs from Kerala, T. Rajesh and P.Sampath, at the main gate.

They were invited by the students’ groups to address a public meeting as part of the ongoing agitation against last week’s police crackdown and the demand to remove P. Appa Rao as vice chancellor.

Teesta and the two Lok Sabha members lodged strong protest over the denial of entry. They condemned the curbs imposed by the university on entry of political leaders, activists and media into the campus.

The students, who were waiting from on the campus, also rushed to the main gate and raised slogans against the university authorities.

Joint Action Committee for Social Justice, an umbrella grouping of various students’ groups, has condemned the university’s action and called it an attempt to stifle the movement for justice to Rohith Vemula, a Dalit research scholar who committed suicide in January.

The unrest on the campus began on January 17 after Rohith, one of the five Dalit students suspended for allegedly attacking a leader of ABVP, committed suicide. This triggered a massive protest by students, who demanded action against vice chancellor and central minister Bandaru Dattaetrya who were named in First Information Report.

Appa Rao, who went on leave on January 24, resumed charge last week, triggering huge protest. The students ransacked the vice chancellor’s lodge on March 22 and in the subsequent police crackdown 25 students and two faculty members were arrested and jailed.

They were all released on bail on March 29.

(IANS)

HCU:Striking non-teaching staff resume duties;campus peaceful

by

Rohith Vemula

Hyderabad: The non-teaching staff of Hyderabad Central University (HCU), who had gone on a strike protesting vandalisation of VC’s lodge on March 22 allegedly by a group of students, resumed their duties today as the situation on the campus remained peaceful.

Members of HCU Non-Teaching Staff Union had boycotted duties from Tuesday afternoon protesting ransacking of Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile’s official residence (VC’s lodge) and after being assaulted allegedly by the group of students opposing Podile resuming his duty.

As part of the strike, cooks had shut down ‘Students’ Mess’, expressing support to the Vice Chancellor (VC) after which students had set up an open kitchen yesterday.

“Messes, which had been shut down due to the strike by non-teaching staff opened today…they (non-teaching staff) have resumed their duties from today in the larger interest of the university,” HCU Registrar M Sudhakar told PTI.

Meanwhile, twenty-five students and two faculty members of HCU, who were arrested yesterday in connection with incidents of vandalism at VC’s lodge and stone pelting on police personnel, were sent to judicial remand last night and are lodged in Cherlapally Central Prison.

“The situation on the campus is peaceful today,” Gachibowli police inspector J Ramesh said.

Mother of deceased Dalit research scholar Rohit Vemula, Radhika, who had staged a sit-in protest along with scores of HCU students in front of the university last night after being denied entry, withdrew her protest at around 11.15 pm, HCU Chief Security Officer T V Rao said.

Radhika and the protesting students, who demanded Podile’s immediate removal from the post and the release of students and faculty members arrested in connection with vandalism of the VC’s lodge and stone-pelting on police, also made a vain bid to “barge” inside the campus but were stopped at the entrance itself, Rao said.

“She wanted to hold a dharna inside the campus, but we prevented her from doing so. She along with around 200 students attempted to go inside the campus, but we stopped them and they finally withdrew their protest at around 11.15 pm,” the security official said.

(Agencies)

Rohith Vemula suicide: Students ransack HCU VC’s official residence

by

rohith-vemula

Hyderabad: A group of students today allegedly ransacked the official residence of Hyderabad Central University (HCU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Appa Rao Podile, protesting against his resumption of duty after having been on long leave.

Scores of students gathered at VC’s lodge after learning that Podile was holding a press conference to announce that he was going to resume charge today.

Prof Podile had gone on a long leave at the height of students’ agitation seeking justice for Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, who had committed suicide on January 17 at a hostel room in the HCU campus.

The agitating students today raised slogans against the VC. They broke window panes, smashed doors and television among other items.

One of the protesting students said, “Our primary demand is that the VC should not come…we lost Rohith Vemula. He (Prof Podile) is one of the culprits.”

“It’s almost over two months since the incident occurred but no action has been initiated,” he said.

The protesting students further demanded that the VC should be immediately arrested.

A large number of police personnel were deployed near the Vice Chancellor’s lodge as tension prevailed on the campus.

The press conference by Podile, which was scheduled at 11.30 AM, was cancelled due to the protests.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Podile resumed the charge in the forenoon of March 22, according to the university’s website.

(Agencies)

Smriti Irani resorted to ‘blatant lies’ in Parliament, says Rohith Vemula’s mom

by

Radhika Vemula

New Delhi: Dalit student Rohith Vemula’s mother on Friday launched a scathing attack on HRD minister Smriti Irani, accusing her of resorting to “blatant lies” while talking in Parliament about her son’s suicide and that “life imprisonment” will not be enough for her and others “responsible” for his death.

Radhika Vemula, flanked by her other son Raja, said BJP will be “decimated to the ground” if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not take any action against Irani and her ministerial colleague Bandaru Dattatreya who had written multiple letters to her seeking action against Rohith, alleging anti-national activities.

“Irani, this is not a small screen to act, this is real life. Bring out the facts, don’t fabricate them. How many parents you would like to suffer. Irani has lied multiple times while speaking on the issue in Parliament. Why has action not been taken against her?” she said in a news conference.

Speaking in Parliament, Irani had on Wednesday tried to deflect criticism and mounted a strident attack on the opposition accusing it of “politicizing” the PhD scholar’s death.

She had said that the committee which acted against Rohith had a dalit representative and that doctors were not allowed to revive him after he was found hanging.

Rohith’s brother Raja dubbed Irani’s comments as “blatant lies”, saying he reached the campus by 8.30pm and saw police and doctors where his body was kept.

“Even life imprisonment will not be enough for the ministers, vice-chancellor and the ABVP activists who were responsible for my son’s death. BJP will be decimated to the ground if Modi does not address the issues. We demand formation of an SIT to probe the case,” Radhika said.

Rohith’s friend Prashant, who was also expelled by the Hyderabad University, cited minutes of the executive council meeting of Hyderabad University, claiming that action was taken against them “in response” to communication from the HRD ministry to not allow the students to continue academic activities.

26-year-old Rohith was found hanging at a hostel room in the university on January 17, days after punitive action was taken against him and four other students for allegedly attacking an ABVP functionary.

Students and Rohith’s family have been alleging that Irani and Dattatreya had forced the university to take action against him and others.

The duty doctor at the University of Hyderabad on Thursday contradicted Irani’s claim that no doctor was allowed near the body to revive him.

Prashant said Irani must be punished for misleading the nation and giving a false statement in Parliament which is “an offence” under the Constitution.

(Agencies)

Rohith Vemula death case: Doctor exposes Smriti Irani’s lie

by

rohith-vemula

Hyderabad: The duty doctor at the University of Hyderabad health centre today appeared to contradict the claim of HRD Minister Smriti Irani that no doctor was allowed near the body of research scholar Rohith Vemula on the day he had died either to revive him or remove him to hospital.

Dr M Rajshree, the doctor on duty that fateful day when Rohith had allegedly committed suicide on Jan 17, said today she was the one who examined the body and had declared him dead.

She said the body of Rohit was lying on a cot and police had reached 15 minutes after she had gone to the hostel room on the day he had died after she got information at around 7.20 PM that one of the students had attempted suicide.

During a debate in the Lok Sabha yesterday on the controversies surrounding the Hyderabad University and the JNU, Irani had said nobody allowed a doctor near Rohith either to revive him or take him to the hospital.

“Nobody allowed a doctor near him. The police has reported that no one attempt was made to revive this child, not one attempt was made to take him to a doctor. Instead what was done was that his body was used as a political tool, hidden. No police was allowed till 6.30, the next morning. It is not me the Telangana police is saying this,” she had said.

Narrating the sequence of events today, Dr Jajshree said she rushed to NRS Hostel after she got information at around 7.20 pm on January 17 that one of the students attempted suicide in one of the rooms.

“The body was rigid and cold. I did the examination of the body. I found the body on a cot. The body with protruding tongue was rigid and cold. I checked for BP, for heartbeat. Then I came to the conclusion that he was dead. His body was cold. “It took 10 to 15 minutes. Then I declared him dead and informed the security officer. I saw police personnel 10 or 15 minutes after I reached the spot ” Rajshree told PTI.

She also said she was not prevented from examining the body by anyone.
Rohit Vemula’s suicide triggered a massive outrage and opposition parties launched a scathing attack on the Central Government and demanded action against Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, whose letters to Irani, were blamed for Rohith’s suicide, and Irani herself. The HRD Ministry appointed a judicial commission to look into the issue.

“The police started Panchanama. They checked the laptop and phone and collected suicide note. Rigor mortis of a body starts only after two hours. That is the minimum time for a body to stiffen. That’s what I told the police that it the death occurred before two hours,” she said.

When contacted, Dr Ravindra Kumar, Chief Medical Officer, said the duty doctor submitted a report in which he was declared dead.

(Agencies)

Rajya Sabha disrupted over Rohith Vemula’s suicide

by

rajya-sabha-chaos

New Delhi: Loud anti-government slogans causing an uproar over the death of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula disrupted the Rajya Sabha Wednesday — the second day of the long budget session of the Indian parliament.

The upper house was adjourned five times after members assembled for the day at 11 a.m.

After earlier adjournments in the morning, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the house till 2 in the afternoon when members refused to let the house function and wanted the government to discuss Vemula’s alleged January 17 suicide.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which has 10 members in the house, blamed the central government for the scholar’s suicide in Hyderabad University. They gathered at the chairman’s podium, demanding the government suspend the Question Hour and debate the issue first.

They raised slogans, seeking justice for the family members of the dead student. They alleged that the government was anti-Dalit. “Rohith ke parivar ko, nyaay dou, nyaay dou”, “Dalit virdohi sarkar, nahin chalegi, nahin chalegi”, they shouted incessantly in front of the podium.

BSP leader Mayawati insisted that the government should respond first and debate the issue. “This is not the first time a Dalit student committed suicide,” the BSP supremo said.

“Rohith Vemula was Ambedkar supporter. RSS did not like this, he was exploited,” Mayawati said, referring to B.R. Ambedkar, the author of the Indian Constitution, who was a Dalit leader.

The upper house was forced into five adjournments till afternoon despite Ansari making a passionate appeal to slogan shouting members, requesting them that they should let the Question Hour proceed and raise the issue later in the day.

“Disruption of question hour is violation of privilege of individual members. Is the house going on that track,” Ansari asked.

“The questions have been listed and they have to be answered.”

The government as well as the chair pointed out that a debate on the Vemula death is listed for discussion later in the day.

But the protesting members didn’t relent and continued with their slogan shouting near the chairman’s podium.

The death of the Dalit student triggered widespread protests from opposition, who demanded action against central ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya, who were blamed for forcing Vemula to take his life.

(IANS)

IIMC students post ‘derogatory remarks’ against Dalit, tribal students; probe ordered

by

iimc

New Delhi: Days after Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula committed suicide in Hyderabad, a group of students of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in Delhi posted `derogatory remarks` against Dalit and tribal students on social media.

The IIMC has formed a committee to probe allegations of “casteist” remarks against students belonging to the SC and ST community and has asked for a report within three weeks.

The committee was set up after a group of students, including those from SC and ST community, approached authorities alleging that “ill will” and “hatred” against them was being spread by some of their peers after they protested over Vemula’s suicide.

In letters to the Social Justice Ministry and the Tribal Ministry, 17 students have complained against certain social media posts that first appeared on January 18.

The students subsequently threatened legal recourse stating that due to the “prevailing tension” they are not able to focus on studies.

Anurag Mishra, IIMC OSD, refused to comment when asked about the allegations.

However, a faculty member said that a five-member committee, including representatives from the students’ side, was formed this week in a meeting where “both the grieving parties were heard out”. It has been given three weeks time to submit a report on the issue.

The IIMC, run by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, will hold its annual convocation on February 5.

When contacted, one of the students who has been complained against, said that “personal revenge” was being taken against him “misusing” constitutional protection granted to SC and ST community people.

“I have apologised for the post although initially I was not ready to do so. In the region where I come from, words I used in the post are not regarded offensive at all. A propaganda has been unleashed against me,” the student said.

The complainant students have told the authorities that “comments are being passed and remarks made loud” when they pass through the corridors in the college and hostels since they raised the matter.

“In the campus there is an air of worry…We hereby expect proactive action by our able faculties to ensure harmony and amicability on campus as assured,” they wrote.

“We would beg to request a slot in the academic timetable to be allocated for sensitising of all the students by experts in the field of Caste/Tribe reality and affirmative action, to promote amicability and inclusivity on campus,” they added.

Last month, a group of students had organised a protest meet inside the campus over the suicide of Hyderabad University Dalit student Rohith Vemula.

(With PTI inputs)

Carl Sagan’s wife mourns Rohit Vemula’s death

by

Ann Druyan. (Credit: Reuters/Kevork Djansezian)

Ann Druyan. (Credit: Reuters/Kevork Djansezian)

Hyderabad: “I always wanted to be a writer. A writer of science, like Carl Sagan. At last, this is the only letter I am getting to write. I loved Science, Stars, Nature, but then I loved people without knowing that people have long since divorced from nature.”

This is precisely what Hyderabad Central University Dalit Research student Rohit Vemula wrote in his suicide note, speaking about his love for science.

The suicide triggered wide spread protests across the country and after few weeks of Rohit’s death, Ann Druyan, none other than Astronomer Carl Sagan’s wife has written a letter to Rohit Vemula and responding to his unfulfilled desire Druyan said: “To read his suicide note and to learn the details of his predicament is to get a vivid inkling of the actual cost of bias to our civilization. If we could somehow quantify the totality of lost contributions and innovations as a result of prejudice, I believe we would find it staggering.”

Druyan was told about Rohit Vemula’s death by activist Rajeev Ramachandran –  in a short but reflective letter.

“You tell me, Rajeev: Is it possible that the attention paid to Rohit’s story will lessen its chronic repetition? I am trying to find something hopeful in an otherwise heartbreaking example of needless suffering and squandered potential,” she said adding that she mourned Rohith’s death and lost promise.

Rohith hung himself in the hostel of Hyderabad Central University on January 7, days after he and four other students were banned from the hostel, cafeteria and other common areas on campus for allegedly beating a rival student activist.

(Agencies)

Delhi Police, RSS workers unleash brutality on protesters

by

delhi-police

New Delhi: Delhi Police today drew flak as a video emerged in which male police constables can be seen purportedly assaulting protesters, including women, demonstrating over the suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula near the RSS head office here.

The video went viral on social media, triggering sharp reactions. Two journalists, who have alleged that they were beaten up while covering the protest on January 30, claimed that the police action was “unprovoked”.

Asked about the matter, a senior police official said that the video was being “examined”. “Top-level officers are checking that video as well as the one shot by police officers present there,” he said.

In the 30-second clip, apart from police, some men who are not in uniform can also be seen beating up a youth. A constable is seen dragging a female protester by her hair and pushing her down.

Lashing out over the video, AAP Delhi convener Dilip Pandey tweeted, “What a new low in Indian politics. Male cops beaten up female protesters, RSS workers too joined DP in this brutality (sic).”

Delhi Commission for Women Chief Swati Maliwal said the incident was “unacceptable” and questioned the absence of women constables to control the demonstration that was organised by the Joint Action Committee For Social Justice.

Meanwhile, one of the journalists who was allegedly beaten up, said, “I had gone to cover the protest and found myself being assaulted by members of Delhi Police who also shattered my camera. These policemen were aggressive, possibly because I was shooting pictures at the back of the rally.”

“Male personnel manhandled the female students, dragging and pushing them, scenes that I was about to capture with my camera. This was when the police attacked me,” he claimed on a news portal.

He and a photojournalist, who was also covering the protest, claimed that their cameras were snatched away and later smashed by police.

(Agencies)

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives