Twenty-five students and two faculty members of Hyderabad Central University, who were arrested in connection with incidents of ransacking of VC's lodge and stone pelting on police personnel, are lodged in a jail in Hyderabad.
Rohith's mother Radhika, brother Raja, along with certain teachers of HCU and parents of some of the arrested students had yesterday demanded immediate unconditional release of all those arrested and withdrawal of cases against them. They are expected to get bail on Monday.
Harikrishnan, the brother of Adithyan P who is one of the students in custody spoke to The News Minute. “He has been allowed 5 minute calls, so my parents spoke to him today and on Friday, and he reassured them that he was fine. He couldn’t divulge much but said some of the other students are deeply traumatized by the entire situation.”
“My brother was into student politics, but he isn’t affiliated to parties. He would participate in protests, but he would dedicate his time for it. But he knew Rohith Vemula, and would often meet in his room. Since then this issue has been very close to his heart. My father and I aren’t so worried because he hasn’t gone to jail for anything wrong.”
For the family, what was most harrowing was the lack of information on Adithyan 24 hours since his arrest. “We didn’t know where he was, what he was doing, if he was alright. A day later we were informed he was in Miyapore police station. My mother was petrified, and still is. We have faith he will get bail on Monday.”
The harassment and violence by the police was completely unwarranted and unnecessary considering they were simply students, Harikrishnan says. “They were already calling them anti-national, and then they had to go beat them and harass them. Did they ever think of their families? If they felt they had to stop the vandalism, they could have done so without resorting to violence.”
Even after the release of his brother and other HCU students, Harikrishnan feels there is little hope for the students and the establishment. “The students will get bail, the VC may even be fired, but even if it seems like they have taken action, they are going to continue stifling protests by using violence. This is not going to end.”