Uncertainty still haunts 4 other suspended Dalit research scholars

With their friend committing suicide, the four other suspended Dalit research scholars of University of Hyderabad are facing an uncertain future.

With their friend committing suicide, the four other suspended Dalit research scholars of University of Hyderabad are facing an uncertain future.

Members of the Students Christian Movement of India and other activists stage a protest in Bangalore following the suicide of Rohit Vemula, a doctarate student at the Hyderabad Central University, on January 19, 2016 (AFP)

They are continuing their protest at a makeshift tent on the campus and have vowed not to budge till their demands are met.

They are demanding immediate resignation of vice-chancellor, arrest of central minister Bandaru Dattatreya and two ABVP leaders named in the FIR. They are also seeking a R5 crore compensation for Rohith Vemula’s family and a job for his family member.

With the visit of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and show of solidarity by students from different universities across the country, they hope they will get justice.

“We have many dreams. We hope that issue will be resolved at the earliest so that we go back to our studies,” Vijay Kumar, a third year PhD (political science) student told HT.

“If the VC remains here, we can’t continue our studies. We have to go back and work in fields,” said Vijay Kumar, son of an agriculture labourer. He hails from Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh

He along with D Prashant, Sheshu Chemudugunta and Velpula Sunkanna explained to Rahul Gandhi the circumstances which led to Rohith’s suicide. “We are feeling sad that we have lost brave and a brilliant friend. It is an irreparable loss,” Prashant said.