HCU stir: JAC seeks apology from varsity for "caste bias"

Hyderabad University's Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Social Justice, spearheading the protests over Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula's suicide, today sought public apology from the varsity administration over suspension of the five Dalit research scholars, including Rohith, last year. "The University of Hyderabad must give a public apology to the five Dalit research scholars for the blatant casteist discrimination, humiliation and agony inflicted on them that eventually led to the death of our friend Rohith Vemula," JAC said in a statement. The statement came against the backdrop of the acting Vice Chancellor of Hyderabad Central University, M Periasamy saying that the agitating students have agreed to allow the classes and administrative activities to resume normally from tomorrow. The varsity had already revoked the suspension of the four research scholars after Rohith's suicide triggered a massive outrage. The five students were suspended in last August for allegedly manhandling an ABVP leader. The students' body further said that Vipin Srivastava, who took charge as interim Vice Chancellor after Appa Rao Podile had proceeded on leave, should not be the Vice Chancellor. Incidentally, Srivastava also proceeded on leave after he was replaced by M Periasamy. The JAC also sought to reformulate the composition of the Proctorial Board by removing Alok Pandey as its head. The students' body has been demanding a job for one of the family members of Vemula who hanged himself in one of the hostel rooms on Hyderabad Central University campus on January 17, triggering a political slugfest. In a separate statement, the Students' Union of HCU demanded that the administration should consider the extension of current semester. Meanwhile, the indefinite fast by three students of the varsity entered third day today. However, the condition of the students is stable, said Ravindra Kumar, Chief Medical Officer of the University Health Centre.