The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the University of Hyderabad burnt copies of the notice sent by Vice Chancellor Apparao Podile demanding the removal of tents put up at the protest venue following Rohith Vemula’s suicide.
Students claimed that four months after Rohith’s 'institutional murder', his family, students and the larger Dalit community were waiting for justice. They also claimed that the Vice Chancellor and university administration have utilized the ongoing vacation period in campus to suppress the protests.
The students said they were being forcefully evicted from their hostels and the administration had cleared all graffiti and posters put up by students in the name of maintenance and renovation.
''If Appa Rao Podile led University administration feels that they have no role to play in Rohith’s death then why are they afraid of the posters bearing his name and face, of the Velivada where he slept for 15 days because of the ‘punishment’ ordained by Appa Rao Podile and the Executive Council Sub-Committee? Why are they scared of his stupa that stands as a symbol of struggle and courage for other students who envisage a society free from the disease of caste system? Their threat to remove the Velivada is an evidence of their fear and guilt'', JAC stated.
JAC demanded the immediate arrest of the five culprits booked under the SC/ST Atrocities Act and Abetment of Suicide. They also demanded the introduction and implementation of Rohith Act that provides legislative protection to students from marginalized sections in all educational institutes.
