Rahul, Kejrival, Yehuri, D Raja others join protest
Our Correspondents /
Thousands of students from different parts of the country today took out protest march in national capital New Delhi demanding action against those responsible for death of Dalit student Rohith Vemula of Hyderabad University. Several politcal leaders joined them when their rally culminated at the Jantar Mantar.
Students, activists, party leaders and faculty members took out a march from Ambedkar Bhawan to Jantar Mantar in support of the Vemula, who committed suicide on January 17 after being suspended from the University of Hyderabad, and demanded action against central ministers Smriti Irani, Bandaru Dattatreya and others.
Protesters carried placards and shouted slogans demanding a “Rohith Act” to end caste discrimination in education. Protest was for millions of Rohith Vemula’s, Dalits, minorities and women who have been denied freedom of speech, expression and basic education, said organisers of the march.
The protesters demanded action against union ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya, who have been accused by Rohith’s supporters of forcing the Hyderabad Central University to punish him for allegedly attacking a rival student activist. Rohith, 26, was found hanging on January 17,
Mr Vemula’s family is also present at the “Chalo Dilli” protest. Students of the JNU or Jawaharlal Nehru University, who are demanding the release of Kanhaiya Kumar, have also joined in.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi had come out in support of the students who took out a march in Delhi to demand justice for Mr Vemula and JNU Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, arrested on charges of sedition.
Speaking at the protest Rahul Gandhi hit out at the RSS and BJP-led government at the Centre. “Rohith talked about future of India, but RSS doesn’t support that but only support talking about past,” said Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul said that the country needs a law that doesn’t stifle the students’ voice.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who joined students’ protests said, “This government seems to be at war with the students of this country. He demanded action against union minister responsible for death of Rohit Vemula
“They have the right to speak…We have the right to raise our voice against anything which is wrong,” Mr Kejriwal said, hitting out at the government for taking action against students for expressing dissent.
“Modiji students se pange mat lena (Don’t take on students),” the Delhi chief minister announced from the stage. “If students get together, they will shake up your (prime minister’s) chair in such a manner that you will not forget.”
Five Dalit students, including Vemula, were suspended in September following a clash with a leader of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Dattatreya, who is the MP from Secundrabad, had written to Irani, the human resource development minister, seeking action against the students, following which they were suspended.
. Members of the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Aam Aadmi Party students’ wing Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS) also participated in the solidarity march along with students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University (DU) and University of Hyderabad.