Glad that Smriti Irani is gone, but Javadekar more dangerous: Hyderabad University students

Prakash Javadekar was a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP) as a student
Glad that Smriti Irani is gone, but Javadekar more dangerous: Hyderabad University students
Glad that Smriti Irani is gone, but Javadekar more dangerous: Hyderabad University students
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Students protesting in University of Hyderabad over Rohith Vemula’s death have mixed feelings about Smriti Irani’s removal as Human Resources and Development Minister. While they are happy that Irani is gone, they say the fight will continue.

As students in several universities expressed happiness on social media that Smriti was no longer going to have any say in education, members of the Joint Action Committee in Hyderabad University said that the battle for justice for Rohith was far from over.

“We are glad that at least one of our demands our fulfilled, but we will continue our struggle for justice for Rohith Vemula,” says Sunkanna Velpula, who completed his PhD earlier this year from the university.

However, Smriti’s replacement Prakash Javadekar isn’t anything to write home about. “Smriti Irani knew nothing about universities, but Javadekar does. He is a staunch follower of the RSS, and will be more dangerous than Smriti Irani.”

Prakash Javadekar was a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP) as a student. Between 1975 and 1987 he was a member of the Pune University Senate.

Another JAC member Sannakki Munna says, “She should have been sacked, not shifted. Just because BJP wants Dalit votes in Uttar Pradesh, they shifted her from HRD. Prakash Javadekar is a strong RSS follower, so we don’t expect him to support Dalits. Ambedkar statue was removed from Velivada. If Ambedkar is not safe in the university, how can Dalits be safe in the country? If our demands are not fulfilled we will discontinue our education and campaign against BJP in Uttar Pradesh.”

Dhontha Prashanth said that in June, Smriti had taunted them and said their struggle was not a T20 match. “There is no joy in Smriti Irani being shifted out, as we had demanded that she be sacked. Ours is a prolonged struggle and we will continue it until all the culprits behind Rohith Vemula's death are arrested and in jail. VC Appa Rao is taking advantage of the holidays, so we will intensify our struggle once the University reopens.”

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