After violent protests and vandalism by the students of Hyderabad Central University (HCU) yesterday, in wake of the return of the VC Appa Rao, the University gates were closed today. This was barring one gate which was closely monitored. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union President, Kanhaiya Kumar, who is out on interim bail in a sedition case was about to visit the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) on Wednesday. But he was disallowed entry.
Kanhaiya Kumar in a statement said that he and two others had come to the university to pass the Rohith Vemula Act and also that they intended to meet Rohith Vemula’s mother.
He was expected to join the ongoing protest against Vemula’s suicide. Soon after Vice Chancellor, Appa Rao Podile, resumed office on Tuesday, students who have been protesting against Dalit scholar Rohit Vemula’s suicide, vandalised his office before he was supposed to address the media.
Professor Podile had gone on a long leave at the height of the students’ agitation seeking justice for Rohith Vemula, who committed suicide on 17 January in a hostel room in the Hyderabad University campus.
A member of AISF told The Indian Express:
Kanhaiya is leaving for Hyderabad along with a delegation of JNU students and members of All India Students Federation (AISF). He is expected to address the protest gathering over Vemula’s suicide and also meet Vemula’s mother.
Kumar was about to speak at the HCU on Wednesday evening and at a meeting on ‘Constitutional Rights’ at the Sundarayya Vignana Kendram on 24 March, CPI national executive member K Narayana said.
The JNUSU president will be speaking on the same topic at an event in Vijayawada on 24 March, he added. The events are organised by student groups and AISF.
Kanhaiya had also met Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi at his Tughlaq Lane residence to thank him for his support in the JNU controversy.
Security outside Hyderabad University has been beefed up.
(With inputs from PTI)
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