Universities' Bandh Over HCU Suicide Peaceful

Protesting the attitude of the University Of Hyderabad (Hyderabad Central University) authorities over the death of Rohith Vemula, the universities' bandh called for today passed off peacefully across the nation.

Students at all universities participated in the bandh on Wednesday. At several places, the students burnt the HCU Vice-Chancellor's effigy. The dalit teachers, federations and students unions extended their solidarity with the bandh.

In Hyderabad's JNTUH, the bandh was peaceful. The students demanded that the government suspend Vice-Chancellor P Appa Rao immediately.

In Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, the students participating in the bandh alleged that the interim Vice-Chancellor's appointment would lead to caste discrimination and religious politics. They also asked the government to appoint a VC who would act in favour of students and not to allow political leaders into the campus premises.

Alleging that the BJP's saffronisation policy was the main reason for the death of Vemula, the AU students also demanded that the government sack union ministers Bandaru Dattatreya and Smriti Irani from their positions. They also alleged that Appa Rao and Vipin Srivastava were the sons of the BJP.

The AU students also demanded that the government enact a Rohith Act similar to the Nirbhaya Act.