Expressing his condolences over the suicide of University of Hyderabad research scholar Rohith Vemula and sympathizing with his family members, Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya on Wednesday clarified that he had merely forwarded two representations received from ABVP students on August 10 and 29 last year to the HRD Ministry requesting the latter to initiate appropriate steps and help improve the atmosphere in the University for the good of the student community.
In a statement, Dattatreya said that he did not in any manner try to influence any decision taken by the University in the case directly or indirectly, and simply forwarded the representations to the Ministry concerned.
Stating that his role was only limited to forwarding the representations customarily, Dattatreya also said that he would have forwarded similar representations from any other students' body had they approached him.
"Apart from being a Union Minister, I am also an elected Member of Parliament from the Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency. Since my entry into politics in the 80s, I have always been a leader connected to the weaker and downtrodden sections of the society on a daily basis, whether or not in any positions of power. Taking representations from common people and constituents, and forwarding them to the ministries concerned, is what I consider my earnest responsibility being an elected people's representative," he clarified.
He expressed hope that the matter would rest with his clarification.
"I wholeheartedly wish Rohith's family the strength to withstand and overcome this irreparable loss," he added.
filed in:Deaths, Suicides, University Of Hyderabad, Bandaru Dattatreya